The Facts: The Bills announced Wednesday they have tendered an offer to Dickerson, an exclusive rights free agent tight end.

Diehards Line: The Bills have until next Tuesday and the start of free agency to tender an offer. Dickerson appeared in 11 games for Buffalo last season and caught nine passes for 117 yards in limited duty. Because Dickerson has less than three seasons in the league, he is considered an exclusive rights free agent. Exclusive rights free agents essentially become property of their current team if they are tendered a contract as they cannot negotiate with any other team. Players become restricted free agents after three accrued seasons and unrestricted free agents after four seasons in the league. Dickerson was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Houston Texans and appeared in seven games his rookie season. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots in 2011 but was never on either team’s active roster before joining the Bills last year.