Bernard signs 4 year, 50 mill extension

[RyanC883]

I guess that's the price for a LB who has showed flashes of greatness, but overall has been slightly above average?  Hopefully beefing up the DL will help here.  I'd still like a LB somewhat early given that he and Milano are injury prone.  

2 minutes ago, Beast said:

That’s a bargain. Think of what Edmunds received.

 

yeah, but he's not old enough to drink yet

[TBBills Fan]

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

Ok but if you could just maybe pick a gentler class. She always seems so worn out when you drop her off.

Bro to bro, I can do that for you.  We will focus on the front this week instead of the rear with our stretches 

[RyanC883]

31 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

25 mil guaranteed shouldn't be that much of a hindrance in a worst case scenario 

 

I agree, the contract seems about right, and it's not like he will be a total liability back there.  My worst case is he is the same as last year.  Very good, not elite/difference maker.  

[klos63]

13 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I thought so in 2023?

I didn't remember,  but he did have a great season. 

[harmonkillebrew]

1 hour ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

The current TBD whipping boy. People complaining about his size. All he does is make huge plays at clutch moments. One of the only true elite players on this team. Thank God he is finally locked up. 

Elite?? He showed well in 2023, but was not as much of an impact player in 2024. Only 1 sack,  5 TFLs, no FFs, 2 INTs

Dorian Williams outpaced him in tackles and they had the same TFL, despite Dorian not starting the last 5 games. 

 

I think re-signing him is a good move, but like Shakir, it's a little pricey for a guy that hasn't really had consistent production. Bills seem to be giving home town upgrades for guys they believe will keep getting better.  I'm ok with that in Shakir's case. Bernard I worry is a little more risky, due to injury from being undersized

[US Egg]

Sam Martin money already paying dividends.

[Johnnieo64]

1 hour ago, beebe said:

 

 

1 hour ago, beebe said:

 

I’m not sure about this. He is good and  I like him, but his production was way down last year he’s too small. I want the Bills to draft a Danny Stuntsman type player who will hold up better. Time will tell. Rooting for him as he is the classic overachiever. Maybe if the Bills get some bigger bodies in front of him he will be more productive. 

[TFBillsfan]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

Hmm not a fan of this at all. We'll see what the actual contract looks like I guess. Paying a small injury prone player at a non-premium position coming off a down year is just not good business. I'm getting a bit worried that their mindset this offseason is "run it back." That can't be the plan. There needs to be an infusion of more high end talent which is going to be a challenge when we're paying good not great players.

I haven’t gotten that vibe at all is to just run it back. If we can see where the Bills have gaps in talent, I’m confident Beane and McDermott see it. If Bernard and Milano stay healthy this season, that will be huge for the D. 

[MrEpsYtown]

54 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

One productive season? First of all, he has only been a starter for 2 full seasons as he basically red-shirted his rookie year. Secondly, you are saying he wasn’t “productive” last year? How about the game ending interception against Mahomes? How about containing Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson in the divisional? The best team in the NFL IMO. 

 

Point being, I would have waited another year to see if he could stay healthy and be as good as he was in '23. This is early for an extension that wasn't really earned yet. That's just my opinion. 

[Alphadawg7]

I like this, good value on both sides IMHO.  I think its a fair deal and once we upgrade the beef in front of him he will be even better.  Durability will be a concern, but its not like he is hurt all the time either.  

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

It's a little more than I'd like but he was incredible in 23 and was still good last year. Considering that he's still on a rookie deal and the amount of guarantees this is probably in effect a 3-4 year (prorated bonus over this year, 2-3 years of $12.5 AAV) so I'm not worried about long term health concerns.

 

Now do Benford. If we get that done, I'm willing to roll the dice on Groot and Cook

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, wppete said:

Love it!!! We have out leader on defense locked up! 

This says it all. 

 

Can't say I don't worry about injuries with him but other than that, I think the guy is great.  Clearly a leader and in charge on the field.  Great penetrator in the run defense - I have no idea how he gets in there and winds up at the bottom of the pile with his arms around the ball carrier.  Superb pass defense instincts.  Excellent closing speed. 

 

Build around the QB on offense, and build around the QB on defense.  I try not to get caught up in "what ifs" during the off-season, but if the Bills can get themselves a seriously good edge rusher, the rest of Beane's work is just filling in the pieces.  

 

Good, good news.

[Einstein's Dog]

34 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

When asked directly about it, Beane answered, completely unsurprisingly, that he would prefer not to. Like anhyone would say. But that doesnt mean it actually affects anything at all. He just answered the question.

 

Even behind closed doors he isnt saying "Well we offered him $14M/yr but now that he posted 3 emojis call his agent and tell him we're changing it to $12M/yr!"

 

And Beane saying $15M was nowhere near what he had in mind is BEANE negotiating through the media. So both sides are "guilty". But it doesnt really matter.

 

Any difficulty in getting a deal done and being far apart in numbers would exist whether Jimbo posts on social media or not.

 

So Beane did care, but now you're saying it shouldn't affect negotiations - which I agree with.  Now you're saying "both sides are guilty" but Cook started it.

 

And when you say it doesn't really matter, it does to a lot of the fanbase.  Cook has made himself out as an unreasonably high participant in the negotiation.  If Cook hadn't posted on social media the fanbase would not have known who was at fault, whose side to take.  

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

1 hour ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

Doesn't really change anything this year but doing this now helps us immensely in future years. 

Exactly this. It actually is likely going to *increase* the cap hit this year but it would mean dropping like a stone in 2026

Edited Friday at 04:09 PM by WhitewalkerInPhilly

[Sweats]

I genuinely think it's a good deal on both sides.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Bernard has an ability to create chaos that I like, and he's occasionally made some really nice checks and calls that have resulted in big stops.  He's a solid if underused blitz pass rusher for a middle linebacker.  He's also made a lot of strides in coverage.  For the group around him, I think Milano sticks this year but whether he plays well or not really isn't going to reflect his future beyond 2025; he's likely a cap casualty with you also paying Bernard. I also think you take another shot at a mid-late round linebacker.  Even earlier if you think there's a stud player who slipped into the 3rd, move up or something. 

 

Spector stunk, so i don't really see a reason to keep him around.  Ulofoshio and Andreessen aren't particularly great depth either - so I'd bring in another Will to compete with Williams for the future at that spot.  I don't dislike Williams, i just think it's an important position on the defense that takes it from good to potentially great and the team has a ton of picks this year.  I also don't think you're far off on potentially wanting to find a new nickel player - and Lewis/Ingram shouldn't be roster locks.  Another mid-round spot where maybe we can find someone with maybe a little size to play big nickel against some of these tight ends.  

[DrDawkinstein]

5 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

So Beane did care, but now you're saying it shouldn't affect negotiations - which I agree with.  Now you're saying "both sides are guilty" but Cook started it.

 

And when you say it doesn't really matter, it does to a lot of the fanbase.  Cook has made himself out as an unreasonably high participant in the negotiation.  If Cook hadn't posted on social media the fanbase would not have known who was at fault, whose side to take.  

 

No, Beane DOESNT CARE. He was asked his opinion and gave his general stance that he would "prefer not to" which is literally what anyone and everyone would say. But it doesnt affect anything. As evidenced by him turning around and doing the same thing.

 

Boo hoo hoo to the fanbase who are in their bag of feelings. Build a bridge and get over it. We should all have other things to be concerned with in our lives.

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

 

I hope so. The guaranteed money is low enough that it's possible. That would be the one saving grace. That AAV is really shockingly high though. I can't imagine any other team out there giving him that kind of value. It's the opposite of a hometown discount.

 

Guaranteed money is all that matters. AAV is really for agents.

 

Bernard just signed for HALF the guaranteed money Edmunds got with Chicago a couple years ago.

 

Good deal.

[HappyDays]

51 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Agree. If 2023 TB this is his market rate, maybe even a little below. At 2024 level TB I think this is an overpay. Not a massive one but an overpay all the same. He'd have been 4th on my list of 4 from that 2022 class to get done. 

 

My thoughts were we could afford to re-sign one of Benford and Rousseau (I lean Benford) and one of Shakir, Cook, Bernard (I leaned Shakir). Extending too many good not great players, especially at non-premium positions, eventually catches up to you. That's my issue with this deal. Every year there is a player or two that we could really use to sign in FA or trade for and we can't afford them because of deals like this.

[schoolhouserock]

He wears the “C”. Glad to have him locked in for the next stretch!