As followers we frequently complain that the Buffalo Payments don’t retain their very own draft picks. But this previous offseason, the Payments went all-in this previous offseason in locking up the core of their younger roster with an enormous wave of extensions.
These extensions included quarterback Josh Allen, working again James Cook dinner III, defensive finish Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard, vast receiver Khalil Shakir, and cornerback Christian Benford. On paper, it was a stabilizing step for the franchise a dedication to continuity and “draft and develop” as the inspiration of the following period.
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However there’s one other aspect to those offers when stated extensions don’t work out: the useless cap.
The purpose for 2025 and past was clear:
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stabilize the locker room
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shield Josh Allen’s prime
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keep away from one other mass exodus like years prior
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get forward of rising contract markets at key positions
The technique comes with threat. If these participants hit, the Payments would have one of the vital cost-controlled, steady cores in soccer. In the event that they don’t? Buffalo will probably be caught with restricted flexibility to pivot whereas probably consuming a few of the largest useless cap the group has ever carried.
And as fan endurance wears skinny whereas a few of these gamers battle to satisfy heightened expectations, rumblings have began about whether or not these extensions are already weighing down the Payments financially. Earlier than anybody floats “transfer on from Participant X” as an answer, the 2026 numbers paint a really completely different actuality.
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Payments’ 2025 extensions and their 2026 dead-cap penalties
These are the official contract phrases and the ensuing 2026 dead-cap liabilities. If the 2026 financial savings quantity beneath is damaging, it means the crew would LOSE cap area by parting methods with the participant.
Josh Allen, QB
Extension: 6 years, $330 million
2026 Useless Cap: $173,469,000
2026 Financial savings if launched: –$117,081,000
Not solely is Allen untouchable, financially and figuratively — this isn’t a shock. Franchise quarterbacks are constructed this manner. Nevertheless it does illustrate how vital the cap ramifications have turn into after a number of restructures and rolling bonuses ahead.
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James Cook dinner, RB
Extension: 4 years, $48 million
2026 Useless Cap: $12,200,000
2026 Financial savings: –$6,320,000
Cook dinner is the one one dwelling as much as his extension. He began off the season going loopy, any cooling off has been a results of play calling and the Payments having zero threats elsewhere.
Christian Benford, CB
Extension: 4 years, $69 million
2026 Useless Cap: $35,036,000
2026 Financial savings: –$27,580,000
Benford’s deal raised eyebrows the second the numbers dropped. However he was poised for a breakout 12 months and the group noticed the pattern for top-tier corners. So whereas expectations for Benford skyrocketed, now so did the cap penalties.
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Terrel Bernard, LB
Extension: 4 years, $42 million
2026 Useless Cap: $11,800,000
2026 Financial savings: –$6,328,000
In a post-Tremaine Edmunds world, Bernard was prolonged to turn into the long-term coronary heart of the protection. However his inconsistency and accidents in 2025 have followers questioning whether or not the Payments purchased in too early. His cap hit is $5.4 million in 2026… however rises to $11.8 million if launched.
Greg Rousseau; DE
Extension: 4 years, $80 million
2026 Useless Cap: $32,920,000
2026 Financial savings: –$21,110,000
Rousseau was paid like a rising pass-rushing star. His affect has fluctuated partly attributable to scheme, and partly as a result of rotating defensive position strategy. The silver lining is that he’s performed the run effectively, which could not say a lot with how badly the Payments have struggled versus the run. Both approach, his contract construction ensures he stays a part of the plan.
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Khalil Shakir, WR
Extension: 4 years, $53 million
2026 Useless Cap: $15,600,000
2026 Financial savings: –$8,808,000
Shakir is a fan favourite and has been one in all Allen’s most-reliable targets. However $13M+ AAV comes with expectations of constant output, which we have now not seen this 12 months. However let’s not throw that weight all on Shakir, his struggles this season could also be extra as a result of lack of targets than efficiency points.
Extensions weren’t the one strikes contributing to Buffalo’s mounting future useless cap. The crew additionally executed a number of restructures to free area in 2025.
These selections add much more 2026 burden:
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Taron Johnson restructure added $1.75M (now $9.5M whole useless cap)
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Dion Dawkins restructure added over $7M (now $21.9M whole useless cap)
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Ed Oliver restructure added over $9.435M (now $21.5M whole useless cap)
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Matt Milano restructure added over $1.293M (now $11.07M whole useless cap)
Each restructure is actually a short-term bank card swipe. Ultimately, the invoice comes due, and all of it comes due directly if a participant is launched.
All of those gamers can be getting into a stroll 12 months throughout the subsequent 12 months or two except for Allen. That will have meant:
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a number of giant extensions due directly;
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bidding wars for CB, DE, WR, and RB;
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Allen’s market exploding past attain
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the identical “we misplaced too many starters directly” narrative;
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comp picks? Sure, however holes all over the place and an issue with drafting.
The Payments may not be getting excellent returns on all these investments proper now. However whether or not the fan base believes in these gamers or not, the group already made its mattress and these are the blokes. The cap says so. As a result of when you take a look at the cap implications, one factor turns into overwhelmingly clear: these gamers aren’t going wherever. Not in 2026. Buffalo didn’t simply lengthen its core; it financially cemented it.
It have to be understood, although, that cap disasters aren’t solely created by a miss on extensions, or a nasty free-agent signing. These cap disasters are additionally created by inaction. If the Payments waited till these gamers peaked, their value tags would soar.
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As a substitute, Payments basic supervisor Brandon Beane paid for and selected long-term stability, whereas receiving some quick time period flexibility. It was of venture for positive. However now, they’ve created a roster that should carry out. As a result of financially, they will’t pivot away from it.
So, can this core elevate its play to match the funding? If not, 2026 could possibly be one other 12 months full of losing the expertise of Josh Allen and James Cook dinner.
