It was just a few short weeks ago that many figured quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills would part ways.
Both sides were coming off a contentious 2016 season that saw Taylor ultimately benched for the finale. He was set to receive $30 million in guaranteed cash. Buffalo itself could get out of the deal without much of a dead money cap hit.
It just seemed to make too much sense.
Then in a shocking development as free agency got going last week, Taylor and the Bills agreed to a restructured contract. The terms of the new deal were not yet known, but most figured it would be team friendly. It would have to be in order for Taylor to keep his job in Western New York.
But the overall figures are absolutely stunning in and of itself.
Here's the cashflow on Bills QB Tyrod Taylor's old deal (on the left) vs. the new restructured two-year deal (right). It's a $10M haircut. pic.twitter.com/YvRKtmT5uY
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 14, 2017
You read that right. Taylor took a $13.5 million pay cut for the 2017 season. His salary was cut nearly in half from the quarterback’s previous contract.
Considering Mike Glennon received a three-year, $45 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after attempting a combined 11 passes over the past two seasons, Taylor likely would have been met with a solid market in free agency.
It sure looks like the quarterback wanted to remain in Buffalo.
Taylor, 27, has put up 47 total touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions en route to leading the Bills to a 14-14 mark over the past two seasons.