Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills have secured their captain on defense on a new long-term deal that keeps him tied to the team through the 2029 season.
The Bills announced on Friday they have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with linebacker Terrel Bernard. According to reports, the deal is worth up to $50 million, with $25 million worth of guaranteed money.
Bernard was drafted out of Baylor University by the Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft as the 99th overall pick in the third round.
The 25-year-old appeared in every game in his rookie season, but only started one game defensively, as he was mostly a special teams player in 2022.
To start the 2023 season, Bernard earned the starting job at middle linebacker, and went on to start all 17 games in his second season, putting up 143 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
This past year saw Bernard miss some time at the start of the season due to injury, but he still started 13 games, racking up 104 total tackles, a sack and two interceptions.
In his short NFL career, Bernard has become a leader on the Bills defense, being named captain of the unit at the start of the 2024 campaign. He was the only other captain on the team this past season along with quarterback Josh Allen.