For the entire offseason the Bills have maintained a consistent stance on Aaron Schobel and his impending decision as to whether to play another season or retire. The organization's stance changed on Monday as Schobel has remained undecided about his playing future.
In a statement released to the media Monday morning Bills GM Buddy Nix stated that the team is moving forward without Schobel.
"Aaron has been contemplating retirement for the past seven months, but we are at the point where we are moving forward and have informed his agent of our plans," Nix said. "Aaron has been a very good player for the Bills and we wish him and his family the best, but there comes a point where we have to move forward and that point is today. We are focusing on the team's best interests."
Throughout the offseason the Bills have been extremely patient in waiting on Schobel to make a decision about whether to play in 2010. But almost a week into training camp the club did not want to wait any longer. Nix indicated that when Schobel failed to report to training camp on time that it was as long as they could wait on the nine-year veteran.
"The decision up until camp was that he could still report and he had not told us whether he was retiring or whether he would report," Nix explained. "It was a point when he didn't show up then we'd gone as far as we could go."
As training camp opened last week, Schobel's thinking had shifted from leaning toward retirement to leaning toward playing.
"I would say I'm more of a 70-30 at this point," Schobel told Buffalobills.com last week. "I realize I'm affecting a bunch of people and I have to make a decision. If we can line everything up and figure everything out where it works out then I'll probably do it, if we can't then it's time to move on."
Schobel had indicated he'd make a final decision by Aug. 15th provided the Bills were willing to give him a little more time. But according to Nix and the Bills Schobel's time with the club that made him a second-round pick in 2001 has run out.
Nix said that Schobel's roster status will not change until he makes a decision about his playing career, but he will not play for the Bills again.
"He will stay on the Reserve/Did Not Report list until he makes a decision on whether he's retiring or if he might want to play somewhere else," said Nix.
To this point Nix said the team has not explored any trade options concerning Schobel.
