The Buffalo Bills have extended their former first-round pick.
The Buffalo Bills and defensive end Greg Rousseau have agreed to a “four-year, $80 million contract extension that includes $54 million guaranteed, per sources”, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Saturday, March 8.
The Bills picked up the fifth-year option on Rousseau’s rookie contract ahead of the 2024 NFL season, based on his continued development within the defense overseen by head coach Sean McDermott. Rousseau, originally selected 30th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, gives Buffalo a commanding presence on the defensive line. As a 6’6”, 266-pound defensive end, Rousseau is a proficient run defender and pass disruptor as an edge rusher.
Rousseau is the complete package at defensive end — the type of player capable of flustering a defense no matter the scenario. In four seasons making 62 starts in 62 games with the Bills, Rousseau has made 182 tackles (135 solo), 46 tackles for loss, 66 quarterback hits, 25 sacks, 1 interception, 15 pass defenses, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
(stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference)
At $20 million per season, that slots in 13th among NFL EDGE rushers alongside his current teammate Von Miller.
The move should clear some cap space for the Bills. Rousseau was scheduled to make more than $13 million in base salary on the fifth-year option in 2025, but since that was all base salary, that was also going to be his cap number. Now they’ll be able to spread the cap hit over multiple seasons, lowering that 2025 cap charge.
Rousseau’s contract extension on Saturday marks the third significant new deal Buffalo has agreed to this offseason. The Bills first inked wide receiver Khalil Shakir to a four-year extension on February 25, rewarding him with a $53 million contract that includes $31.8 million guaranteed. On Friday, March 7, Buffalo gave linebacker Terrel Bernard a four-year, $50 million contract extension with $25.2 million guaranteed.
The 2026 free agency class for Buffalo is dwindling, with James Cook publicly campaigning for a new contract. Cornerback Christian Benford is also in line for a pay day and at the rate Brandon Beane is going, could be extended any second.
Officially official. ✍️#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/eI3Dpq0aXw
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 8, 2025