Buffalo Bills lock-up Marcell Dareus with huge extension

Marcell Dareus finally got the love he wanted from the Buffalo Bills, and it came in the form of a huge contract extension.

Just a few weeks ago, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was feeling like the Buffalo Bills didn’t want him around. Negotiations on a long-term extension had come to a dead-end and the anchor of their defense didn’t think the two sides would be getting anything done anytime soon.

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Dareus changed his tune on Thursday morning.

Just hours before the NFL season is set to begin, the Bills have announced that they have inked the two-time Pro-Bowl and 2014 First Team All-Pro Defensive Tackle to six-year deal. While Buffalo would not announce the terms of the deal, it is believed to be a six-year extensions worth an additional $108 million, with $60 million guaranteed per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Bills signed Marcel Dareus to a six-year, $108 million extension, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2015

Marcel Dareus' deal includes $60 million in guaranteed money, highest guarantee for a non-QB in NFL history. Dareus suspended week 1, too.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2015

Drafted third overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, Marcell Dareus has more than lived up to his expectations. In four seasons, he has accumulated 139 tackles, 63 assists, 28.5 sacks, and has defended 11 passes at the line. Those numbers include a stellar 2014 season when he made his first All-Pro team based on a season in which he recorded 35 tackles, 14 assists, and 10.0 sacks, putting up an approximate value of 17 per Pro-Football-Reference.

By guaranteeing Dareus $60 million in the deal, the extension becomes the most lucrative for a non-quarterback in NFL history. That’s a strong sign that the Bills indeed wanted to keep their stud defender on the roster.

"“Marcell Dareus is a tremendous player and we feel he has a great opportunity to reach his potential as a player and leader here with the Buffalo Bills. Throughout this process, we wanted Marcell to remain a Buffalo Bill for the long-term and he made it clear to us that he wanted to continue his career in Buffalo.” (h/t NFL.com)"

Dareus was a big part of a Bills defense that ranked 4th in the NFL in Total Defense with an average of 312.2 yards allowed per game. They’ve looked increasingly solid thus far during the preseason as well, holding opponents to just 253.8 yards per contest. With him now under contract through 2022, the Bills have a solid core of players to build around with Rex Ryan now running the ship.

That said, Dareus will need to wait a week before starting to collect any of his new found money. Due to a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Dareus is suspended for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

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