Development has always been a key factor as to why the Buffalo Bills have had major success. Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are always looking to build within the organization and hit on draft picks rather than depend on free agency or trades. Now that doesn’t mean that the Bills won’t bring in veterans, but we have seen the moves that the front office would rather do.
Ever since the Bills drafted Josh Allen back in 2018, the main priority was to help develop him into a franchise quarterback and he has exceeded expectations. He is the best quarterback since Jim Kelly, but he still needs to add some hardware to his resume. However, Bills fans are thankful that Allen is their quarterback. In addition, players on the Bills have also commented on the culture that the Bills have and that having a quarterback like Allen makes the game more fun.
One player that has helped Allen the last two seasons is offensive tackle Spencer Brown. Buffalo drafted Brown in the third round out of Northern Iowa in 2021 and he has developed into a solid starter going back to last season. His first two seasons were very rough, having dealt with multiple injuries and awful pass protection. That narrative has changed for Brown and the Bills’ front office took notice.
Right before the start of the 2024 season, the Bills opted to give Brown a massive four-year deal worth $72 million, with only $19.8 being guaranteed per Spotrac.
Spencer Brown is proving the Bills made the right choice to invest in him
Last year, Brown earned his contract extension with his improved pass-blocking skills and ability to stay healthy. This season, Brown has been repeating the same thing. Aside from missing one game, Brown has been starting every game for the Bills. Last Sunday in Buffalo’s Week 16 matchup against the New England Patriots, Brown impressed once again in a game where the Bills’ offense struggled throughout the game.
According to Pro Football Focus BUF, Brown finished 8th out of all offensive tackles with an 84.4 pass-bloocking grade and didn’t allow a single pressure in pass protection off of 34 pass-blocking snaps.
Spencer Brown among OTs in Week 16:
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) December 27, 2024
🔷 84.4 pass-blocking grade (8th)
🔷 34 pass-blocking snaps
🔷 0 pressures allowed pic.twitter.com/tGn2QQhkjv
He has been a big reason why Josh Allen has only been sacked 14 times this year, which is among the lowest by any quarterback this season. Brown has always been a fantastic run-blocker but the way he he has been able to show up in pass-protection shows exactly why Brandon Beane decided to extend Brown for the foreseeable future.