Josh Allen will be one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, but here’s how a contract extension could look like in the coming year.
Those who doubt in Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen, go ahead a take the “L” before it’s too late. The 2020 season proved the third-year pro can be a franchise guy — if not the next great gunslinger in the history of the sport.
Allen, 25, is coming off a career year in which he finished second behind Aaron Rodgers in the MVP voting. On top of that, every area of his game in improved from a postseason appearance in 2019. He completed 69.2 percent of passes for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns on the way to an AFC Championship appearance.
It’s just a matter of time before the Bills will be forced to pay Allen. However, according to ESPN is Jeremy Fowler, the fourth-year pro might be willing to make a deal on a team-friendly contract to keep Buffalo’s salary cap down.
“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. 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,” Fowler said. “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.”
Bills: Could Josh Allen receive the next mega-deal?
When looking at contract structure, Allen and the Bills will have to come to some middle ground on both years and average salary. If both sides believe this type of success can work for the next decade or so, a deal similar to Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes might be the best plan of action.
Last offseason, Mahomes and the Chiefs agreed to a 10-year deal worth $503 million, making the fifth-year quarterback the highest-paid player in the NFL. That price paid dividends for Kansas City this offseason and they were able to save $17 million towards the salary cap.
In return, it allowed Brett Veach to sign Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney and trade for Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Brown, entering a contract year, could earn top dollar from Kansas City if he lives up to expectations. Either way, Kansas City remains the team to beat in the AFC.
If both sides want to get the deal done now, Allen could take a contract that would be back loaded on guaranteed money. Keep in mind that the salary cap could expand to $208.2 million in 2022. It’s also expected with the new TV deal that the salary cap will expand even more.
Bills GM Brandon Beane has built a team that looks ready to win for the next decade. Allen’s willingness to take less on a more long-term deal could provide the money needed to retain players in free agency.
Mahomes might have been first to receive a mega-deal. Allen won’t be making the same amount but expect another deal along those lines to be coming before the 2021 season concludes.