Breaking: Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen agree to long-term extension
The long-awaited breaking news headline has arrived. Josh Allen isn’t going anywhere.
First reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Buffalo Bills and Allen have agreed to a long-term extension. Moments later, the team went on to confirm the news.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter added some specifics. Allen’s extension, which will run through 2028, is worth $258 million. Of that, $150 million is guaranteed.
The deal comes just ahead of the 2021 preseason, which is set to begin for the Bills next week.
In recent days, different deadlines to find a deal were tossed out, per reports. One said August 15, while another mentioned the start of the regular season.
The Bills didn’t even come close to reaching either of those.
Throughout the offseason, both Allen and general manager Brandon Beane had expressed a sense of calm about getting the QB signed to an extension. Beane specifically said it would be “fine” if it did not happen until next summer.
Again, the Bills and Allen didn’t even come close to the summer of 2022 as well.
The confirmed contract that the 25-year-old now has signed comes after his breakout 2020 season. He put up 4,544 passing yards with 45 total touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
Allen’s completion percentage went a long way in his improvement. He jumped from a 58.8 percentage to 69.2 last season.
En route, Allen finished second-place in MVP voting, leading the Bills to a 13-3 record and an AFC Championship appearance.
Allen was the No. 7 overall pick at the 2018 NFL draft by the Bills.
