Ain’t no rest for the wicked.
It might be the off season for the Buffalo Bills players, but General Manager Brandon Beane has been hard at work.
Shakir-a Shakir-a
Firstly, on February 25th, the Bills secured Josh Allen’s favourite and most reliable receiver for the long term.
Khalil Shakir signed a four-year, $60.2 million dollar contract with $32 million in guarantees.
What is so great about this? The deal is front loaded, meaning Shakir gets his money early – like every player likes to – and the Bills can spread the cap hit how they see fit.
It averages out at roughly $15 million average annual value – that is a bargain when you consider Tutu Atwell just re-signed for $10 million for one year with the Rams.
O Captain, my Captain
Then came Terrel Bernard – another young player who has blossomed under head coach Sean McDermott has got the extension he so deserves.
Again, it is another four-year pact, this time to the tune of $50 million with $25.2 million in guarantees.
Bernard wears the green dot on defense, meaning he is Commander-in-chief and relays the plays to the team.
This is not a position you want turning over every year and now it will not be – Bernard is locked in through his prime years.
Why do you have to be Rousseau damn good?
Next up – the Bills secured the future of their defensive line.
Gregory Rousseau was selected 30th overall in the 2021 Draft. The 6-foot 7-inch behemoth has been a stalwart on the edge for the Bills ever since – and now, like Shakir and Bernard, he is here to stay.
Quality defensive line players do not come cheap, and his four-year deal is to the tune of $80 million dollars with $54 million guaranteed.
Rousseau is nowhere near the quality of Myles Garrett, but we have since seen Garrett sign a deal at the age of 29 that is worth $40 million per season. So I am very happy to get Rousseau signed for half that.
Von but not forgotten
It was fun whilst it lasted, but Von Miller is no longer on the books at Orchard Park.
The Bills saved $8.4 million in cap this year and void the final three years of his six-year, $120 million deal.
Beane swung for the fences, trying to get the Bills over the line and into a Super Bowl again – but ruptured knee ligaments in Miller’s second season curtailed any progress and Von never truly recovered.
M-V-Paid
Then came the biggest news, Josh Allen’s extension.
But wait? Was Allen not under contract for another four years already?
Yes, indeed he was. At $43 million per year.
The Bills have essentially tacked on two years to the end of his deal and injected $200 million more into Josh’s back pocket.
Why? To keep the reigning MVP happy and, crucially, to tie him up before the quarterback market goes up any further.
Has anyone got a spare Charger?
When Free Agency finally opened the Bills stayed busy.
Josh Palmer, the speedy receiver from Brampton, Ontario (basically a local!) joined the Bills on a three-year deal – only to be followed by fellow Los Angeles Charger, and former Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa.
Bosa, at 29 and coming off three injury hit seasons, has signed a one year, $12.8 million ‘prove it’ deal. He will replace Von Miller’s presence on the edge for the Bills and fills a glaring hole.
My View?
As many NFL writers and analysts will tell you – get your deals done early.
Allen is the reigning MVP and is now tied to Buffalo for the foreseeable. No drama. No postering for more money, holding out or agent-chatter.
The cap is likely to jump significantly in years to come with the rise in international games and the potential introduction of an 18th game.
I have no doubt that by the time Ja’Marr Chase signs his record-breaking contract, it will have crept up and up because the Cincinnati Bengals have drawn out this process far too long.
Hats off to Beane. He has been busy, but I am sure it will pay dividends.
