The Bills' offseason decision on Tremaine Edmunds just got more difficult
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is set to cash in this offseason. Whether that be in Buffalo or somewhere else is yet to be determined. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith locked up the most lucrative deal for his position in NFL history. Smith and the Ravens agreed in principle to a five-year contract for $100 […]
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is set to cash in this offseason. Whether that be in Buffalo or somewhere else is yet to be determined.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith locked up the most lucrative deal for his position in NFL history. Smith and the Ravens agreed in principle to a five-year contract for $100 million, including $60 million in guarantees.
Smith edges out Colts LB Shaq Leonard ($19.7 million) and the 49ers’ Fred Warner ($19 million) as the highest paid inside linebacker in the league.
With this deal, Smith sets the market for off-ball linebackers, paving the way for Edmunds to break the bank in the 2023 offseason.
Edmunds is currently playing in the fifth year of his rookie deal, earning $12.7 million. However, the two-time Pro Bowler is set to hit the free agent market at season’s end.
The Bills will have the ability to use the franchise tag on Edmunds, but that will cost the team $18.7 million. Buffalo, who has limited cap space as it is, will likely have to move some money around to make room for Edmunds, but entering a bidding war for an inside linebacker is risky business.
Edmunds' market value is currently listed at $11 million per year, per Spotrac. However, Smith's deal could inflate that number significantly.
The good news is that Bills general manager Brandon Beane won’t have to make that decision until March. For now, Buffalo’s only focus is on beating the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card Round. That being said, there is something to be said with playing for a perennial Super Bowl contender.
Featured image via Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK
