Lane Johnson

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS OF DEC. 14-15 - FILE - In an Aug. 24, 2013, file photo Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Todd Herremans and Lane Johnson don't get much recognition, but coaches and teammates credit the big guys upfront for helping the offense lead the NFL in rushing. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, file)

(Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orchard Park, N.Y. — A few months ago, it wouldn't even be a question. If someone had told Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley and coach Rex Ryan that Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis would hit the open market in June, they would have targeted him.

Now it's not as cut and dry for the Bills, who had big issues on the offensive line a year ago. They drafted Louisville guard John Miller in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, they have been pleased with newly signed veteran Richie Incognito, and cap space isn't as readily available for the Buffalo front office.

Is that enough for the Bills to hold off on taking a run at one of the most established guards in the NFL? Let's weigh the pros and cons.

The argument for signing Mathis

Despite the fact that he will turn 34 during the 2015 NFL season begins, Mathis is still one of the best guards in the league. The analytics site Pro Football Focus graded Mathis as the best guard in the NFL from 2011 to 2013, and he was second during an injury plagued 2014 season. Not many guards have shown that type of consistency.

Consider, too, that the Bills have talked an awful lot about wanting to run the football a lot in 2015. The term "ground and pound" has been used often over at One Bills Drive, and the Bills will need an improved offensive line to make that philosophy work.

The argument against signing Mathis

Throughout the Bills' voluntary offseason workouts coaches have talked up Miller and Incognito. That said, neither has taken part in a padded practice as a member of the team, and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer has admitted that it's tough to evaluate offensive linemen without pads on. So how confident is the team that Miller and Incognito can solve all of their issues up front? At this point, it's been lip service. If the Bills make a run at Mathis, that might tell us more about how they feel Miller and Incognito are coming along.

The biggest questions the Bills are going to have to answer about Mathis is the role he is going to expect to have in the offense and what his price tag will be. Mathis may not be interested in competing for a starting job at this point in his career, and the Bills' new coaching staff doesn't seem interested in handing out starting jobs to anybody.

There's also the financial issue. Mathis was due to make $5.5 million this season, and while he may not be able to command that type of salary, he won't come cheap. According to Spotrac.com, the Bills have a little over $7 million in space for 2015, so they could make it work. However, if Mathis is hoping for a multi-year contract, things could get complicated. Buffalo has a lot of expiring contracts and can't afford to commit any more money to their 2016 salary cap than it already has. Does Mathis think the Bills are enough of a contender to take a one-year deal? Are the Bills willing to pay him enough to go for it in 2015?

Do you think the Bills should make a run at Mathis? Let us know in the comments section.