The Buffalo Bills just locked up O’Cyrus Torrence with a massive four-year extension, and that was only a few months after Connor McGovern got his deal done. It felt like the whole squad got paid in 2025, with James Cook, Christian Benford, Josh Allen, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, and Khalil Shakir all signing on the dotted line. So now, the question is hanging in the air: who is next for an extension in Buffalo? Forget waiting until the season kicks off; one or two of these guys could get their bag mid-season.
Oliver’s Monster Cap Hit Is A No-Brainer Urgency
Let’s talk about defensive tackle Ed Oliver, because his situation is screaming for attention. The dude is a game-changer, plain and simple. He’s got one more year left on his deal for 2027, but here’s the kicker: his cap hit is about to launch from $13.7 million to a whopping $28.3 million next year. That’s a brutal jump, all thanks to those pushed-out cap hits finally catching up. Oliver only turns 29 this December, so he’s in his prime. This whole thing feels like a total no-brainer to get done, maybe even before the regular season starts. The Bills don’t usually extend guys with two years left, so expect a shorter deal, maybe one or two years, just to bridge that cap nightmare.
Kincaid and Bishop Are Stepping Up Big
Then you’ve got tight end Dalton Kincaid, who could be a priority for next offseason, but only if he proves he’s healthy. His 2027 cap hit is sitting at $8.1 million, and a midsize extension could actually help lower that. We’re talking a deal that probably tops Cole Kmet or Jake Ferguson’s four-year, $50 million contracts, which would put him seventh in the league. That’s serious money. Over on defense, safety Cole Bishop is already establishing himself as a leader. If he adjusts to that new Jim Leonhard defense like everyone expects, Buffalo might just lock him up as early as February 2027. That’s how good he’s looking.
The “If” Guys: Anderson, Gardner-Johnson, and Williams
Keep an eye on offensive lineman Alec Anderson. He’s a free agent in 2027, but if he wins that starting left guard job, he could snag an extension during the season. Think about David Edwards’ two-year, $6 million deal when he stepped up; that kind of short extension would be an absolute win if Anderson can pull it off. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, also a 2027 free agent, is currently the starter. If he makes a big early-season impact, a two-year extension could be on the table. He’s bounced around, so finding a team that “gets him” has to be huge for him. Then there’s linebacker Dorian Williams, another 2027 free agent. The fact he’s lower on this list than Kincaid should tell you everything you need to know. The Bills drafted Kaleb Elarms-Orr this offseason, and Elarms-Orr has looked stellar early, especially while Williams was sidelined with an offseason injury. Williams’ stock has definitely dropped a few months ago.
So for the Bills, it’s all about navigating these early season performances and that looming cap crunch for Oliver. It’s gonna be wild to see which of these guys gets paid before the season’s over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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