Offseason Priorities: Extension Eligible Players
I touched on a list of players drafted by the Bills last year who I believed had earned a contract extension already or would warrant one after this season. Spencer Brown received his at the start of last season, and it’s already looking like a bargain. Four of the six players (excluding Josh Allen) I wrote about in that blog have not signed a new deal yet. Khalil Shakir joined Brown on Tuesday with his second contract. Four are still on their rookie contracts and will be entering the final year of their deal, and one has made it clear that he is ready for a new contract. James Cook has made it known that he wants a new deal, and he is the only player who has publicly commented on their contract status. Nothing has happened yet, but Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane’s comments at the scouting combine lead me to believe it’s being addressed and that a resolution of some sort will happen soon. Let’s revisit the remaining players who are eligible to sign new contracts.
Extend Now
Christian Benford - Benford getting snubbed from an All-Pro team saved the Bills a lot of money regarding a new deal for the lockdown corner. After breaking out in 2023, Benford followed that up with an impressive ‘24 campaign and has earned a new contract to stay with the Bills for the next 4-5 years. Health is a concern after suffering two concussions inside of 10 days in the playoffs. McDermott announced he was cleared to return to football activities a week after the Kansas City game. Health and availability have to be something that comes into play with the structure of his contract. Benford has missed 11 regular season games (20%) and 3 postseason games (40%) since joining the Bills in 2022. This is a significant loss of playing time for a player who is predicted to become one of the highest-paid CBs in the NFL.
Original Contract Comparison: Charvarius Ward 3 years/$40.5 million signed in FA Charvarius Ward Contract
New Contract Comparison: Denzel Ward 5 years/$100.5 million rookie contract extension Denzel Ward Contract
Greg Rousseau - Rousseau has continued to develop into a premier defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills. He catches slack from fans because he isn’t the flashy sack artist everyone expects on the defensive line. He is consistent, strong in the run game, and a top 15 edge rusher in the NFL. Rousseau finished the 2024 season tied for 7th in total pressures amongst edge rushers with 70. He had eight sacks in the regular season and two more in the postseason. If the sack numbers catch up with the pressure totals, $24 million a year will look like a bargain for a player who will be 25 to start this season, entering his fifth year in the NFL.
Original Contract Comparison: Jonathan Greenard 4 years/$76 million in FA Jonathan Greenard Contract
New Contract Comparison: Rashan Gary 4 years/$96 million rookie contract extension Rashan Gary Contract
Khalil Shakir - Shakir signed a 4-year/$60.2 million contract while I was writing this blog. I viewed him as a player they needed to extend now, a change from how I felt last summer. I expect his production to continue improving, especially with the development of the Bills WR group, which would have increased his contract price. This is a great deal for both sides. Shakir gets rewarded for his outstanding play with a contract that reflects his worth and makes him a top-25 WR in terms of AAV. Brandon Beane and the Bills hit a home run with this contract. A former 5th-round pick pans out and develops into a player that you’re able to lock up through their prime below the market rate is something that you don’t see often. I say below the market rate because $18-$20 million a year was being floated around for a contract extension, and he signed for slightly over $15 million a year.
Original Contract Comparison: N/A
New Contract Signed: 4 years/$60.2 million rookie contract extension, $32 million guaranteed at signing
Extension Worthy
Terrel Bernard - I had Bernard as the highest priority on my original list, and he could very well be the next player to sign an extension because it might be the easiest for the team to complete. With that said, the urgency to sign a deal isn’t there. As the playcaller and captain of the defense, Bernard is an important player for the Bills and should be extended at some point. His contract got a bump due to a proven performance escalator, so he is making a little over $3 million this year with a $3.4 million cap hit. This is almost 3x what he made last year, which was a down year compared to his breakout 2023 campaign. Bernard can gamble on himself, hope to stay healthy, and cash in next offseason if he waits on signing a new contract.
Original Contract Comparison: Patrick Queen 3 years/$41 million signed in FA Patrick Queen Contract
New Contract Comparison: Alex Anzalone 3 years/$18.3 million contract extension Alex Anzalone Contract
James Cook - I love what James Cook has developed into as a player since the Bills drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He is worthy of an extension, but I don’t think Buffalo will be the team that gives it to him if $15 million a year is where the line in the sand has been drawn. It sounds like the two sides are not close to a deal at the moment. My guess is that they will find a middle ground in the $11-12 million a year range because I believe both sides want Cook to remain a member of the Bills. I don’t know if that can happen when someone starts at $15 million, so I won’t be surprised if Cook is traded before the draft in May if talks stall. The contract comparison I am using would be if the two sides can compromise on a deal.
Original Contract Comparison: N/A
New Contract Comparison: Josh Jacobs 4 years/$48 million signed in FA Josh Jacobs Contract
