Ranking Buffalo Bills potential contract extensions in 2022 by importance

4. Ed Oliver

The reason that Ed Oliver is fourth is that the two sides have time on their side as the Bills picked up the fifth-year option on Oliver’s contract. This keeps their former first round pick under contract through the 2023 season.

However, if this upcoming season was his final year under contract, he would move from fifth all the way to first. That is how important I believe Oliver is to this defense and what he brings in terms of his athleticism at defensive tackle.

While the Buffalo Bills have time on their side, it may benefit them to get a deal done this offseason. It could help lower the cap hit next season, which is over $10 million according to Spotrac, and the Bills may end up with a bargain if Oliver continues to develop and improve.

Brandon Beane will need to try and find a way to balance extending players this offseason currently entering their final year while not putting him in a position where he can’t extend Ed Oliver next offseason if they decide to wait until then.