Bills: Ed Oliver has strong words for those criticizing his new contract
Almost immediately after Ed Oliver got paid, critics started attacking his contract. Brandon Beane was able to lock up a starting-caliber defensive tackle for below-market dollars. The move not only made Oliver happy, but it also helped the organization look toward the future. Buffalo made it official by extending Oliver with a four-year $68M contract […]
Almost immediately after Ed Oliver got paid, critics started attacking his contract.
Brandon Beane was able to lock up a starting-caliber defensive tackle for below-market dollars. The move not only made Oliver happy, but it also helped the organization look toward the future.
Buffalo made it official by extending Oliver with a four-year $68M contract that includes $45M guaranteed. Oliver will now be the 16th highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. Not only that, but it freed up some more cap space for the organization to work with.
Oliver had his fair share of ups and downs last season, mostly contributed to a nagging ankle injury that saw him miss four games. When healthy, Oliver is a difference-maker on the defense.
Just how impressive has Ed Oliver been? After his extension, Next Gen Stats highlighted where Oliver stacks up compared to other defensive tackles in one of the most important areas: Pressure rate.
As documented, they reported that Ed Oliver had the fourth-highest pressure rate among defensive tackles over the past three seasons with an 11.6% pressure rate. Once again, Brandon Beane proves to be a genius.
However, with the massive price tag critics began coming out and attacking the organization's decision to extend Oliver one year earlier than anticipated. Ed Oliver, after the Bills' most recent practice, was quick to shut down any doubters
When asked if he felt any pressure, Oliver was poised with reporters, “I don’t feel any pressure; I feel like I’m going to outplay the contract, to be honest.”
Oliver continued, almost speaking directly to those who are doubting his ability, “I just want to shut everybody up who said I was overpaid [with the new contract]. Just sit back and watch me.”
While this contract looks good on paper, hindsight is always 20/20. Buffalo took a chance on what type of player they hope Oliver will become with the good faith extension. If Oliver balls out, Beane will once again look like a wizard. If Oliver's play suffers and the team is forced to cut ties early into the extension, it would widely be considered a failure.
One thing is for certain, Oliver is going to be playing with a massive chip on his shoulder. The NFL better be ready, Ed Oliver is planning to take the league by storm.
Featured image via Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
