The Buffalo Bills continue to push the boundaries of NFL contract strategy by quickly securing their youngest talent, while Cowboys fans anxiously await the conclusion of the Mika Parsons deal. On Wednesday, Buffalo announced a four-year, $48 million extension for running back James Cook, marking the fourth 2022 draft class member to receive a new contract this offseason. Alongside Greg Rousseau—who is set for a fifth-year extension—and a lucrative deal for quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills have committed $637 million to lock in key players not yet eligible for free agency.
This strategy pays off for Buffalo as they aim to keep their young core intact, supporting a team that has won five consecutive division titles and secured at least one playoff win in each of those years. Though their postseason runs have often been ended by the Chiefs, the Bills remain the AFC’s strongest challengers. Their approach contrasts sharply with the Cowboys, who have hesitated in re-signing stars like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
The 2022 draft picks receiving extensions include Cook, who has earned approximately $4.6 million over three seasons but will now get a deal guaranteeing six times that amount. Other signees include linebacker Terrell Bernard, receiver Halil Shakir, and cornerback Christian Benford. Notably, Benford was ranked the sixth-best cornerback by Pro Football Focus last season, and his $69 million contract is seen as a bargain that will start in 2026.
Cook, now 25, has been a Pro Bowler, rushing over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons and leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, despite playing only 45% of the team’s offensive snaps. Shakir, also 25, has shown versatility with seven touchdowns in three seasons and secured a $53 million deal. Bernard, 26, led the defense last season with 143 tackles and 6.5 sacks, although his production dipped, leading to a $52 million contract that is competitive but below the top market. Rousseau, 25, has recorded 25 sacks over four seasons and signed a four-year, $80 million deal, which still pays below elite edge rushers.
Josh Allen’s six-year, $330 million extension broke norms by coming earlier than usual, preventing market inflation seen in other top quarterback contracts. The Jets have employed a similar tactic, locking in 2022 draft stars Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. Altogether, the Bills have dedicated $637 million to six foundational players, securing their core through 2029 and taking a long-term approach to remain competitive. They are projected to have one of the highest cap commitments in the league by 2029, second only to the Eagles and 49ers.
The Bills’ confidence in the leadership that has driven five straight division titles suggests they are building to dominate the AFC again in the coming years.
Fan Take: This commitment by the Bills to lock in their young core early shows a bold new trend in NFL contract strategy, signaling a shift toward long-term stability over short-term risks. For NFL fans, this means we’ll likely see more teams adopting similar approaches to maintain championship contention, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for years to come.
