Bills and Khalil Shakir agree to 4-year extension ($60.2 million/$32 million guaranteed)

[DrDawkinstein]

13 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

Will 2025 finally be the year you take in external information and use it to change your opinion about something?  I’m guessing no…

 

[Big Turk]

2 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

I understand that, but I'm rejecting the deal based on the value of the market vs the return I get for my money. I'd rather trade Rousseau or let him walk and get a comp pick vs lock up that much of my cap in him.

 

I mean that is fair, and I don't necessarily disagree.  I would rather trade him and figure out a way to get Crosby for similar dollars.

Edited 3 hours ago by Big Turk

[klos63]

1 minute ago, BullBuchanan said:

I understand that, but I'm rejecting the deal based on the value of the market vs the return I get for my money. I'd rather trade Rousseau or let him walk and get a comp pick vs lock up that much of my cap in him.

But who do you replace him with? That's the $20 million cap hit question. 

[GASabresIUFan]

1 minute ago, klos63 said:

This is the problem with people who think they know more than those that do this for a living. 

Simply, we need wr and rbs.

Just because we signed Shakir doesn't mean we won't sign Cook. 

 

And while we don't know the specifics yet,  I doubt Shakir will be 15mm on the cap this coming season. 

Shakir is very valuable to this offense. I'm glad we signed him. 

 

 

1 minute ago, BullBuchanan said:

I think it comes down to position group efficiency and the dropoff in talent at the positions. You typically only have 1 RB that gets starting level snaps, but you have 3 WRs that do. The top 3 receivers for the bills last year only combined for ~1900 yards. Jamarr Chase got 1700 by himself. They're maximizing the impact of their limited starting spots there vs a team like the Bills that had Shakiir putting up high end WR2 numbers and then had a logjam of guys putting up 300-550 yards.

As far as why you don't just lean on the RB for yards, I think it's harder these days to just run the ball with success all game when the other team knows you're going to do it. Only a couple of teams a year seem to be able to do it.

I'm not saying don't sign Shakir.  I like the signing.  What I am saying is that people need to re-think the group think of top flight RBs are a dime a dozen.  They aren't and the best teams seem to have good RBs.  The truth is WRs are a dime a dozen and they burn out just like RBs do.  My greatest criticism of Beane was for failing to invest premium picks on skill players to support Josh.  He finally started doing it with Cook, Coleman and Kincaid the last 3 drafts.  Now people want to throw away Cook because they think, wrongly, that he's easily replaced.  They argue that any 4th rd RB can so the same job.  How did Singletary and Moss work out?  Why were all the top 6 rushers in the NFL last year top 2 round players.  Why are 6 of 8 elite RBs listed in the PFF grade 1st and 2nd rd players? 

 

The answer is pretty simple, the scouts do know what they are doing and premium picks are premium picks for a reason.  The bottom line is keep your best players if you can. 

[klos63]

Just now, GASabresIUFan said:

 

I'm not saying don't sign Shakir.  I like the signing.  What I am saying is that people need to re-think the group think of top flight RBs are a dime a dozen.  They aren't and the best teams seem to have good RBs.  The truth is WRs are a dime a dozen and they burn out just like RBs do.  My greatest criticism of Beane was for failing to invest premium picks on skill players to support Josh.  He finally started doing it with Cook, Coleman and Kincaid the last 3 drafts.  Now people want to throw away Cook because they think, wrongly, that he's easily replaced.  They argue that any 4th rd RB can so the same job.  How did Singletary and Moss work out?  Why were all the top 6 rushers in the NFL last year top 2 round players.  Why are 6 of 8 elite RBs listed in the PFF grade 1st and 2nd rd players? 

 

The answer is pretty simple, the scouts do know what they are doing and premium picks are premium picks for a reason.  The bottom line is keep your best players if you can. 

I'm all for signing Cook. He's a dynamic runner, can be a bigger receiving threat too.

 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

13 minutes ago, TheWeatherMan said:

Bernard-yes, Cook-no, Shakir-yes and great deal, Rousseau-no, Benford is a big? With injuries.  
 

Not giving Cook Barkley money, Rousseau just ain’t it ($20M players don’t disappear in the playoffs), and gambling on a player with a history of scary concussions isn’t wise.

 

I don't pay Cook, and I keep bringing in backs.  I love the player but i think that depth is the key there and I like players that have a role.  Think NE's running backs when they were successful.  Draft another, keep 4 if you have to and drop gilliam.  

 

Bernard is a great player, and leader.  I don't see him chasing a bag mainly because he doesn't have the accolades to earn a large check.  With a defensive coach and hopefully some new younger talent, maybe he can lead this team to becoming a top 10 defense.  

 

The challenge with Rousseau is the projection of cap increases - What does parsons get who actually sets the market?  Now how about Karlaftis in KC? Bonitto in Denver? Thibodeaux, Anderson, Walker, Robinson, Phillips, johnson, Mcdonald, etc. 

 

The top 5-10 at a position tend to make more than everyone else as a % of the cap, and there's usually a sizeable gap to the next tier.  Based on just he guys above - i think rousseaus deal will fall outside the top 10, and maybe end up around 20 after additionally veteran contracts are signed.  IE Is it right to estimate that ~20M AAV is the new 15-17M?  And is Rouesseau worth that?

Edited 3 hours ago by Bleeding Bills Blue

[sunshynman]

16 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

1. Other than Josh Allen, my favorite player to watch. Many would agree.

 

2. With the cap going up, an AVERAGE #2 WR will cost $15M/Yr. Think about Gabe Davis’s $13M/Yr. Over the years, this deal will look better and better.

 

3. Supremely high character guy, clutch, and dependable.

 

10/10 extension. A+.

Shakir is a stud. This was a great deal for the Bills!

[BullBuchanan]

17 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Now people want to throw away Cook because they think, wrongly, that he's easily replaced.  They argue that any 4th rd RB can so the same job.  How did Singletary and Moss work out?  Why were all the top 6 rushers in the NFL last year top 2 round players.  Why are 6 of 8 elite RBs listed in the PFF grade 1st and 2nd rd players?

He's easily replaced in the sense that having a great RB doesn't typically have a big impact on winning Super Bowls. Given that should be our number 1 goal right now. not a lot of sense in doing that. Barkley was the 1st "elite" back since 2013 to win the SB, and he was invisible, rushing for 2.3YPC. I'm sure his mere existance had a big effect on the gameplan, which has value, but he didn't directly.

I'd love James Cook for another 4 years at 9M a year, but I'm not paying him more than Barkley, Taylor, Kamara, Jacobs, Henry, or Mixon. Let the Raiders pay him $15M a year and we can keep trying to win a chip without him.

Edited 3 hours ago by BullBuchanan

[TBBills Fan]

1 hour ago, BullBuchanan said:

 

Hard pass on Rousseau and Benford at those numbers. If I'm paying a DE that money, he better be a game-changer like Watt, Crosby, Hendrickson, or even Parsons. Rousseau is a a guy you want as your #2.

Hahah those DEs are getting paid way more than 21 million if they sign today...

[transplantbillsfan]

This is such an awesome deal! $15m AAV?????  Are you kidding!  I thought it would be more like $20, but was hoping he'd take a little discount and get down to something like $18.

 

One thing I hope we all agree on with Beane is that he's been pretty good about extending the right players early.

[Brand J]

3 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

He's easily replaced in the sense that having a great RB doesn't typically have a big impact on winning Super Bowls.

Because you need a great QB and teams with those QBs were loading up on WRs as the league turned into an aerial assault. Now, teams are seeing the value of pairing a great RB with a great QB as defenses continuously run cover 2 to limit explosive plays. A great RB makes your great QB’s job much easier. As you referenced, KC was so keen on stopping Barkley, Hurts had little resistance through the air. I’m for replacing Cook ONLY if we get another explosive RB in his spot. I don’t think Ray Davis or Ty Johnson as lead backs would get you the same amount of explosive plays if their workload was bigger. Less explosive plays = more of a struggle to score.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFan said:

So Shakir is worth $15 mill a season and Cook isn't LOL.

 

Shakir has 1443 yards and 6 TDs the last 2 season on 148 touches.

Cook has 2834 yards and 24 TDs the last 2 season on 520 touches, has made 2 Pro Bowls and was just voted to the NFL top 101 players by PFF.  

 

People who want to trade Cook instead of extending his contract need to re-think their priorities.  

 

I'm glad our management is finally investing in our drafted  and developed skill players.  It's long overdue.

My Georgia brother, I couldn't have said it better myself

 

 

[BullBuchanan]

4 minutes ago, Brand J said:

Because you need a great QB and teams with those QBs were loading up on WRs as the league turned into an aerial assault. Now, teams are seeing the value of pairing a great RB with a great QB as defenses continuously run cover 2 to limit explosive plays. A great RB makes your great QB’s job much easier. As you referenced, KC was so keen on stopping Barkley, Hurts had little resistance through the air. I’m for replacing Cook ONLY if we get another explosive RB in his spot. I don’t think Ray Davis or Ty Johnson as lead backs would get you the same amount of explosive plays if their workload was bigger. Less explosive plays = more of a struggle to score.

I think Cook is as much a product of our staff and system as he is an elite level talent. He's gotten significantly better since his rookie season which I attribute largely to his physique and playing style - things which I put under the bucket of development. I can absolutely see Davis developing in a similar, albeit different way.  You'd definitely have to make another investment in the position, but I don't see that as a huge concern.

Have him play out this year and get his replacement in 2026 if needed.

[transplantbillsfan]

2 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

 

Hard pass on Rousseau and Benford at those numbers. If I'm paying a DE that money, he better be a game-changer like Watt, Crosby, Hendrickson, or even Parsons. Rousseau is a a guy you want as your #2.

 

You must not pay attention to Edge Rusher numbers.

 

$22m is what Bradley Chubb is making right now and he's the 10th highest paid Edge rusher.

 

$22m would actually be a good deal for Groot.  I could see us paying him as much as $25m though.

[buffaloboyinATL]

2 hours ago, chongli said:

 

 

And there was much rejoicing. I love this signing.  Great start by Beane.  

[BullBuchanan]

3 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

You must not pay attention to Edge Rusher numbers.

 

$22m is what Bradley Chubb is making right now and he's the 10th highest paid Edge rusher.

 

$22m would actually be a good deal for Groot.  I could see us paying him as much as $25m though.

If it were up to you, we would have made Trent Edwards the highest paid player in the league.

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

It takes two to tangle though.  Not many of those players ever are available free agency.

 

Did you mean tango or is there some kind of messaging I'm missing with this word? 

 

[harmonkillebrew]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

So Shakir is worth $15 mill a season and Cook isn't LOL.

 

Shakir has 1443 yards and 6 TDs the last 2 season on 148 touches.

Cook has 2834 yards and 24 TDs the last 2 season on 520 touches, has made 2 Pro Bowls and was just voted to the NFL top 101 players by PFF.  

 

People who want to trade Cook instead of extending his contract need to re-think their priorities.  

 

I'm glad our management is finally investing in our drafted  and developed skill players.  It's long overdue.

have to agree with this. 

Cook is just if not more valuable than Shakir.  His numbers show that. There is normally only 1 RB on the field at a time and 2-4 WRs. 

If an extension for Cook helps our cap this year then get it done. 4 yrs/$60m for Shakir - $15m/year.  That's all Cook is asking for

17 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

I think Cook is as much a product of our staff and system as he is an elite level talent. He's gotten significantly better since his rookie season which I attribute largely to his physique and playing style - things which I put under the bucket of development. I can absolutely see Davis developing in a similar, albeit different way.  You'd definitely have to make another investment in the position, but I don't see that as a huge concern.

Have him play out this year and get his replacement in 2026 if needed.

No way is he a product of the staff. haha! Cook has elite speed, balance, and has worked his tail off to be a power back that can push the pile in-between the tackles.

Cook is a decent pass catcher too, but needs work on pass blocking.

If the Bills featured him more, didn't take him out of 3rd downs and series, he'd produce even more.

Oh, and how many fumbles did he have this year?  1!

 

He deserves an extension as much as Shakir does

[Billl]

That’s a solid deal for Beane.  WR contracts are insane anymore.  4 seasons ago, the only WRs making over $15 million were Julio Jones, AJ Green, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and Sammy Watkins.

[TBBills Fan]

17 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

You must not pay attention to Edge Rusher numbers.

 

$22m is what Bradley Chubb is making right now and he's the 10th highest paid Edge rusher.

 

$22m would actually be a good deal for Groot.  I could see us paying him as much as $25m though.

It's cause he's a troll, or just prefers to be contrarian, likes to debate...