Buffalo Bills prepared to break the bank on Josh Allen contract extension

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly ready to give Josh Allen a massive contract extension this offseason.

The Buffalo Bills struggled to find their franchise quarterback ever since Jim Kelly retired from the NFL. But in 2018, the Bills were enamored by Wyoming signal caller Josh Allen and called a variety of teams to try and trade up in the draft to secure him. They found a willing partner in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and selected Allen with the seventh-overall pick.

Nearly three years later, the move up the draft board paid off, as Allen led the Bills to a 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round to nab their first playoff win since 1995. As it turns out, the Bills had some big things planned for Allen before kickoff.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills are prepared to talk with Allen and his agent about a massive contract extension this offseason, even though he has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

Allen could become the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL

Rapoport mentions that Allen could become the highest-paid quarterback in the league, but that depends on what the salary cap will be for the 2021 season.

Let’s preface by saying that Allen is unlikely to top Patrick Mahomes 10-year, $450 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. But if he is to end up second on the list, the Bills would have to top Deshaun Watson’s four-year, $156 million contract with the Houston Texans, where he’s paid an average of $39 million annually. If Allen wants to earn an annual salary of $40 million, the Bills could opt to give him a five-year contract, which would give him $200 million in total money.

Allen is in this position because he played at an MVP-level this season, but will likely fall behind Mahomes and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in voting. Through 16 regular-season games, Allen threw for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while rushing for 421 yards and eight touchdowns on 102 carries.

Whatever the final numbers will be on his future contract, the Bills believe enough in Allen to back the Brinks truck into his driveway and make him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Let’s see if both sides can reach an agreement this offseason.