We all want to see Josh Allen get paid like he deserves, but there’s no avoiding the fact that his inevitable extension will impede the Buffalo Bills’ ability to retain players and build out the rest of their roster.
There are drawbacks to every decision.
With that in mind, Allen is open to planning out a team-friendly structure, according to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.
“As was told to me, look, he knows he’s going to get paid eventually, the Bills know he’s going to get paid eventually, so neither side is particularly worried about it,” Fowler said recently on SportsCenter, per Syracuse.com. “I’m told that Allen loves being in Buffalo enough where he’s willing to structure things, ya know, that helps the team a little bit. Certainly, he’s not going to take a discount by any stretch—he’s a top-five quarterback. But he wants them to stay competitive in future years with him in the fold.”
The Bills and Allen have both spoken about their desire to reach an agreement, while also indicating they’re not in a rush to hammer something out. Earlier this month, general manager Brandon Beane told reporters he didn’t have an update on talks. Allen, meanwhile, expressed total confidence about an extension being finalized.
The Bills picked up Allen’s fifth-year option worth $23.1 million — not a bad chunk of change.
Of course, Allen will make much more once his extension is signed. A baseline comparison is Deshaun Watson, who inked a four-year, $156 million extension with the Houston Texans last September. Spotrac projects Allen could receive a four-year contract worth $168 million, with $78 million guaranteed. Watson, for what it’s worth, got $73 million guaranteed.
Dak Prescott is a decent comparison, too, though it’s worth noting his four-year, $160 million deal with a whopping $95 million guaranteed was signed with no years left on his deal. Allen is in a different situation.
Either way, as long Allen continues to play at an elite level, he’s going to receive his money. In the meantime, the Bills are rightfully taking advantage with their current cap wiggle room. Beane brought back virtually every member of the team’s core this offseason, and even added veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders. To make room for Allen, he also restructured Stefon Diggs' deal, freeing up about $8 million in cap space.
Allen has quite a cast to help ensure his big payday.
