‘The $15 million average annual value to Dawkins’ extension does put him among the elite left tackles in the NFL and within the top-10 when looking at AAV. It’s also a massive leap from that four-year, $4.2 million rookie contract he is just wrapping up as a second-rounder. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network relays that Dawkins will see $34 million guaranteed in this new deal.’
CBS Sports
Bills sign coach Sean McDermott to multiyear extension, keeping him with team through the 2025 season
‘McDermott has brought success to a Bills franchise that had fallen on hard times earlier this century. The Bills coach snapped an 18-year postseason drought — which was the longest in the NFL — in his first season as the head coach in 2017 and he has compiled a 25-23 record in his three seasons at the helm with two playoff appearances.’
Josh Norman is ‘amazed’ by his new Bills teammate, Tre’Davious White
‘”He’s doing so many things,” Norman said of White, per the team’s official website. “I’m just looking at him and just being amazed too because I’m seeing myself in him a little bit when I was coming out early on. Just seeing how he’s really explosive and how he’s taking every rep as if this was his last rep.”‘
Bills training camp’s top five 2020 battles: Who’s the No. 2 cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White?
‘Levi Wallace is the incumbent, basically. He had an fine rookie season in 2018 after going undrafted and began the 2019 season as the No. 2 corner. Although he broke up nine passes and snagged two picks, after a few games with uninspiring play midway through the season, Bills coaches decided to rotate Wallace and veteran Kevin Johnson — who’s now on the Browns. Wallace has to play more consistently to hang onto the job. And the Bills made a low-risk, potentially high-reward cornerback signing when Josh Norman was inked to a one-year deal in March. Of course, Norman rose to stardom in Carolina in McDermott’s defense but is now 31 years old coming off a career-worst season in 2019. These two will battle it out and play a decently large role in deciding the ceiling for Buffalo’s high-end defense.’
Bills tweak Stefon Diggs’ contract to create more cap space in future years, per report
‘According to Garafolo, the Bills are increasing Diggs’ 2020 compensation by $3.3 million (now $14.8 million). Buffalo is also reducing Diggs’ 2021 cash by $300,000, but increasing the guarantee by $7.7 million — making it a total of $11 million. Additionally, the Bills reduced Diggs’ 2022-23 cash from $25.55 million to $22.67 million.’
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are apparently trying to schedule a distance-throwing contest
‘”Yes, I’m game,” Allen said of competing against Mahomes. “We’re working on it. We had something in place actually, supposed to be going this summer, but obviously some COVID restrictions had that kind of shot down, but yes, I’m game.”‘
Former Jets right guard Brian Winters has agreed to terms with the Bills, per report
‘Despite his reputation within the organization, the Jets decided to released Winters on Monday, saving themselves about $7.3 million in cash and cap space. Winters didn’t stay unemployed for long, however, as he is reportedly staying in the AFC East by signing with the Bills, a team that recently lost Jon Feliciano, the team’s starting right guard in 2019, to a torn pectoral injury. Before signing Winters, Bills general manager Brandon Beane alluded to the possibility of second-year lineman Cody Ford, the team’s starting right tackle last season, moving into the inside to help fill the void left by Feliciano’s injury. Daryl Williams, Spencer Long, Ike Boettger, Evan Boehm and Ty Nsekhe will also vie to receive more snaps on the interior of Buffalo’s offensive line.’
Bills send rookies home from team facility after five positive coronavirus tests, per report
‘Players began reporting to team facilities last Thursday, and they must record three negative COVID-19 tests before they are allowed to begin physicals and get their hands on team equipment. On Tuesday, the NFLPA announced that there have been 21 positive tests in the testing conducted as part of the training camp reporting process. Rookies, injured players and quarterbacks were allowed to start reporting last week while veterans from most teams began reporting to camp on Tuesday.’
Charges dismissed against Bills’ Ed Oliver after DWI arrest in May due to lack of evidence, per report
‘A Sheriff’s Deputy located and pulled over the vehicle, which Oliver was driving, and then requested a DWI Certified Officer to the scene to perform a field sobriety test on Oliver, who had an open container of alcohol between his legs. According to the report, the officer who administered the test noted that Oliver may have been impaired by something other than alcohol. A subsequent search also revealed a pistol in Oliver’s vehicle.’
New York NFL teams won’t have to quarantine for two weeks ahead of camp, governors say
‘The teams must, however, take a coronavirus test and have it come back negative before they can participate. Training camp is currently set for late July.’
Stefon Diggs uneasy about season amid COVID-19: ‘I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable starting back up’
‘The lack of in-person minicamp and altered training camps will unquestionably be harder for rookies and veterans joining a new club like Diggs is with the Bills. Buffalo acquired the star receiver in mid-March, sending a number of draft picks — including their 2020 first-rounder (Justin Jefferson) — to Minnesota. Not having a typical offseason will likely create a new set of challenges as Diggs tries to mesh with his new team, but when factoring in the pandemic, that’s likely the least of his worries at the moment.’
Ranking Bills’ five biggest 2020 salary cap bargains: Tre’Davious White leads the way
‘The Bills traded back from the No. 10 spot in the 2017 draft, and the Chiefs used that selection on Patrick Mahomes. In the draft-day swap that’s becoming more legendary each season, Buffalo picked White at No. 27 overall. And while Mahomes has transcended the quarterback position in Kansas City, the Bills landed an All-Pro cornerback in White in the deal.’
Buffalo Bills will refund Canadian season ticket holders if border remains closed due to COVID-19, per report
‘The Bills have the most Canada-based season ticket holders with around 8,000. The Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions have the next highest, with 3,100 tickets and 1,314 tickets respectively.’
Josh Allen says the Bills have ‘the right mindset’ to get back to the success of the early 1990s teams
‘”I hear about it all the time about the early ’90s when [Jim Kelly] and Andre Reed and Thurman (Thomas) and Bruce (Smith) had that city buzzing,” Allen said. “That’s really the feeling that we’re trying to get back, that we’re trying to bring back to Buffalo. You know, our team has the right mindset to do it here pretty soon. We’re looking forward to playing this year.”‘
Bills depth chart 2020: Projected Week 1 starters heading into training camp
‘At linebacker, Buffalo exudes athleticism and coverage brilliance with the towering Tremaine Edmunds and the springy, explosive Matt Milano. The secondary is led by All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White and smart, interchangeable safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. The No. 2 cornerback spot remains a question mark with Josh Norman, Levi Wallace, and E.J. Gaines the trio set to compete for that gig.’