Buffalo Bills reach $68 million extension with former first-round pick Ed Oliver

As teams come closer to reporting to training camp, we’re seeing more organizations take care of business with valued members of their core. The latest example comes from the Buffalo Bills, who have reached a four-year extension with defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

Oliver was headed into the final year of his rookie contract, where he’d be set to earn $10.7 million under his fifth-year team option. But now Oliver has inked a $68 million extension that comes with $45 million guaranteed.

It’s a big contract for the 25-year-old Oliver, who has never made a Pro Bowl appearance or earned All-Pro honors. Yet, the Bills clearly view the former ninth-overall pick as a key part of their defense.

Ed Oliver stats last season: 34 tackles (9 TFL), 2.5 sacks, 1 FF
67.5 player grade – 43rd among 127 DTs per Pro Football Focus

This past offseason saw Tremaine Edmunds leave via free agency and had Oliver not reached an extension, the Bills may have faced the same fate next offseason by losing their prized DT.

While Oliver’s new payday is certainly a raise, he’s far from being one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.

As far as defensive tackles go, Aaron Donald leads the way, earning an average of $31.6 million per season with the Los Angeles Rams. Oliver has a ways to go before he catches up to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but you likely won’t hear him complaining about his new pay rate.