Bernard signs 4 year, 50 mill extension

[Victory Formation]

He’s getting $10M/year. I don’t see how anyone can complain about this.. Add a couple hogs in front of him and he’ll be fine..

[BillsFanForever19]

45 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

He’s getting $10M/year. I don’t see how anyone can complain about this.. Add a couple hogs in front of him and he’ll be fine..

 

My issue is that of the 5 contracts that were coming up (Shakir, Benford, Cook, Rousseau, and Bernard), Bernard was the lowest priority.

 

With everything we have to do this year, which includes pushing money into later years - putting Bernard as a Middle Linebacker on a large number doesn't seem wise to me. And last year was a big step back for him from the year before and he's shown a penchant for injuries.

 

However, if the number stays low and allows for us to get out from under it if we need be after 2 years and he looks more like he did in 2023 next season, I'll be okay with it.

[nedboy7]

I have no feelings on this signing. 

[Victory Formation]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

My issue is that of the 5 contracts that were coming up (Shakir, Benford, Cook, Rousseau, and Bernard), Bernard was the lowest priority.

 

With everything we have to do this year, which includes pushing money into later years - putting Bernard as a Middle Linebacker on a large number doesn't seem wise to me. And last year was a big step back for him from the year before and he's shown a penchant for injuries.

 

However, if the number stays low and allows for us to get out from under it if we need be after 2 years and he looks more like he did in 2023 next season, I'll be okay with it.

Even Ray Lewis struggled without Moose Siragusa in front of him.

Our problem is that we have an undersized DL and it’s allowing our LBs to get eaten up. If Buffalo adds two fat 330-360lbs NTs who can hold their own and eat up blockers, Bernard will start making Pro Bowls, the kids a playmaker.

 

As far as the contracts go, I think Beane is going after the low hanging fruit first. We’ll see what happens..

[Royale with Cheese]

Doing my cap math, this extension gives us about $35 million in cap room?

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Eh. Ok, I guess.

 

Par for the Brandon beane course 

[In Summary]

He only underperforms if 1-tech is an afterthought.

[Don Otreply]

15 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

I have no feelings on this signing. 

You have no soul…,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

🤣

[BillsFooteball]

Even if for a couple reasons I’m not thrilled about the player, I don’t know how anyone can call this an overpay. The contract is an absolute steal 

[Process]

10 minutes ago, BillsFooteball said:

Even if for a couple reasons I’m not thrilled about the player, I don’t know how anyone can call this an overpay. The contract is an absolute steal 

He's the 5th highest paid ILB in the league. You're making it sound like he's playing for free. It's not a crazy contract but it's certainly not an absolute steal. 

[BillsFooteball]

6 minutes ago, Process said:

He's the 5th highest paid ILB in the league. You're making it sound like he's playing for free. It's not a crazy contract but it's certainly not an absolute steal. 

Oh the guaranteed money, his age and value it’s definitely a steal. Trust me I’m not his biggest supporter either. If don’t believe it’s a steal would hope all could admit it’s an extremely team friendly deal 

[Bookie Man]

What did he really do last season? I can't think of anything.

[Process]

1 hour ago, BillsFooteball said:

Oh the guaranteed money, his age and value it’s definitely a steal. Trust me I’m not his biggest supporter either. If don’t believe it’s a steal would hope all could admit it’s an extremely team friendly deal 

"Extremely team friendly deal" implies he could have gotten more on the open market. I don't believe that's the case. 

[Charles Romes]

1 hour ago, Process said:

"Extremely team friendly deal" implies he could have gotten more on the open market. I don't believe that's the case. 

 
no one is handing over 25 guaranteed with that lack of availability 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

He's played well but he's a small LB at less than 220 lbs.  Ideally he might be an elite safety.  But his odds of tackling king Henry consistently one on one are not good.  I think we need to get bigger here.  maybe thru the draft.

Edited yesterday at 06:04 AM by Joe Ferguson forever

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, Process said:

"Extremely team friendly deal" implies he could have gotten more on the open market. I don't believe that's the case. 

The real test will come this year and if he has a Spencer Brown type post contract extension year this will look like a bargain.  Bills brass obviously believes in taking that calculated risk.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

The real test will come this year and if he has a Spencer Brown type post contract extension year this will look like a bargain.  Bills brass obviously believes in taking that calculated risk.

 

Agree but the only thing I'd say is they did Brown coming off his, to that point, best year. He was clearly on the upswing. I know TB had injuries last year but it was definitely a step back on 2023 for him. Does make it a tad riskier IMO.

[notpolian]

Locking in those pretty good players is what Beane excels at.  I sure hope he was injured last year because I didn't see much to make me think he'll make much difference going forward.  It helped when Milano came back.

 

I hope he greatly exceeds my expectations.  But I think we just got another Oliver style contract squared away: undersized and pretty good at a kinda sizable number.

 

The difference with the Brown contract is RT is probably an even more technically demanding position that you get better at as you learn, and Brown is a physical beast with an attitude.  Bernard will never be a beast unless he starts playing safety or something.

Edited yesterday at 12:04 PM by notpolian

[davefan66]

12 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

My issue is that of the 5 contracts that were coming up (Shakir, Benford, Cook, Rousseau, and Bernard), Bernard was the lowest priority.

 

 

Bernard is hugely important. With Milano’s recent injury history and the thought of Baylor Spectors play last year should be all that anyone needs to know how important Bernard is.

 

Benford and Rousseau should get their due. Have felt since his public display that cook may be cooked here…could be wrong but feel he’s the odd man out as defense may be priority this offseason.

[QCity]

$25M GTD is definitely team-friendly.