Bills need to act with urgency when it comes to underrated cornerstone player: 5 pressing extension issues Buffalo is facing
With the AFC Championship Game in the rearview mirror, it's time to start looking ahead to offseason plans. While there's going to be plenty of time to discuss the moves that GM Brandon Beane should make and what areas of the roster desperately need to be addressed *cough*edge*cough*, there's also the matter of handing out […]
With the AFC Championship Game in the rearview mirror, it's time to start looking ahead to offseason plans. While there's going to be plenty of time to discuss the moves that GM Brandon Beane should make and what areas of the roster desperately need to be addressed *cough*edge*cough*, there's also the matter of handing out extensions.
According to Spotrac, there are some new projections for the biggest names that the Bills need to address in the coming offseason.
Let's take a look through five of the top extension/free agency signings that the Bills need to address on their current roster.
WR Khalil Shakir: Projected 4 years, $77.4M
Khalil Shakir is a cornerstone of this franchise. While he's not a prototypical outside wide receiver, his work underneath in the short to intermediate, including his prolific ability after the catch (seconds most yards after contact in the NFL this season behind only Ja'Marr Chase) makes him critical to Josh Allen.
If I'm the Bills, I'm absolutely getting a longterm deal done with the team's leading receiver. Lock him up as one of the most steady and sure-handed wide receivers in the league.
WR Amari Cooper: Projected 2 years, $28.4M
One of the biggest question marks on the current roster is Amari Cooper, a mid-season trade acquisition for Brandon Beane that cost him a third round pick. In 10 games played with Buffalo, including the playoffs, he recorded 38 receptions for 338 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His per game averages break down to 3.8 receptions, for 33.8 yards and 0.2 touchdowns per game.
The numbers are uninspiring, but recent reports sound like the Bills are open to bringing Cooper back. He's a valuable veteran in the locker room that conducts himself the right way, and perhaps a full offseason in the system will see added production in year two with the team.
RB James Cook: Projected 4 years, $40.8M
Outside of Josh Allen, you can make a very easy argument that James Cook was the best player on the Bills' roster this season. He was a monster, taking his game to massive new heights on his way to a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns and over 1,200 total yards of offense. Cook also had a monster game on the biggest stage, totaling 135 scrimmage yards and a wild touchdown on 6.54 yards per carry.
The running back position is back in vogue. Think about the best teams in the playoffs this year (outside of Kansas City because they're just a machine) — Eagles, Ravens, Bills, Lions, Packers, Buccaneers, Vikings, Rams — almost every team in the playoffs this year had a lethal ground game with a stud lead back. If I'm the Bills, I'm absolutely getting a deal done with Cook, who is still only 25 years old.
CB Christian Benford: Projected 4 years, $91.9M
From sixth round pick to the team's best cornerback, it's safe to say that Christian Benford is squarely in the longterm plans of the Buffalo Bills. It was wildly unfortunate that he was knocked out of the AFC Championship Game early with a concussion, especially considering his backup, former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, offered about as much coverage in that game as a hand towel when you get out of the shower.
Benford is a stud, lock-down corner with great instincts, physicality, and ball skills. An extension with him is all but imminent, especially when you look at the lack of talent in the rest of the cornerback room.
EDGE Greg Rousseau: Projected 4 years, $99.5M
Greg Rousseau is where it gets interesting. This is the only name on the list where I'm not convinced that a contract should be due right away. If you asked me at the beginning of the season, I would have firmly advised that you lock him up to a longterm deal, what with him having a monster three-sack performance against the Cardinals in Week 1. He looked like he had taken the leap.
The problem is that Rousseau only had five more sacks the rest of the regular season. Yes, his presence was felt with a sack in each of the first two playoff games this year, but he's developing a concerning trend of disappearing on the biggest of stages. He failed to make an impact in any way against the Chiefs, only registering a 1.7% win rate on pass rush opportunities. Rousseau still seems like a work in progress, and I'd make him prove it next year before inking him to a longterm deal.
Follow along all year for more Buffalo Bills coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, and make sure to follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
