JUNE 6: Further details on the extension are in, courtesy of ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Oliver will receive a $14.75MM signing bonus via his extension, which has cap implications for 2023. His charge for this season has dropped to $5.775MM (compared to the $10.75MM it would have been on the fifth-year option). Buffalo has already used some of those savings on their deal for edge rusher Leonard Floyd.
JUNE 3: After four strong years on the Bills defensive line, defensive tackle Ed Oliver will avoid playing out his fifth-year option to free agency after agreeing to an extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Oliver’s new contract is reportedly a four-year deal worth $68MM, $45MM of which will be guaranteed. 
Oliver isn’t the flashiest of defenders, as many in his position aren’t, but since getting drafted at No. 9 overall back in 2019, Oliver has done his job and done it well. While not elite in any area of the game, Oliver has been a good all-around defender in Buffalo, delivering strong performances as both a run defender and a pass rusher. He didn’t have his best season in 2022, but according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Oliver was the 13th best interior defender in 2020 and the 23rd in 2021.
As a rookie in 2019, Oliver became an immediate contributor rotating in the defensive front alongside Jordan Phillips and Star Lotulelei. He finished his rookie year with five sacks and five tackles for loss. He held down a similar role in his sophomore season, anchoring a rotation that now included Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler but now starting every game. In 2021, Oliver became a mainstay on the defensive line, playing more snaps than any other Bills defensive lineman. His playing time that year about doubled any other tackle on the team besides Harrison Phillips, and he rewarded Buffalo with a disruptive four sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Last year, DaQuan Jones replaced Phillips as Oliver’s right-hand man as the two dominated the defensive tackles’ snap share.
So far in his career, Oliver has proven to be an above average pass rusher with 14.5 career sacks from the interior as well as 42 quarterback hits, a disruptive run stopper with 30 career tackles for loss, and an all-around nuisance with 11 swatted passes and four forced fumbles. He’s been a steady, reliable contributor, appearing in all but four games over the course of his career, as well.
Oliver’s new deal is reflective of his status in the NFL. Not considered an elite athlete at his position but still respected as a strong contributor, the $17MM annual average value of Oliver’s extension ranks 11th among NFL defensive tackles. The league’s better tackles make north of $20MM per year while an all-time great like Aaron Donald makes just over $30MM per year. The $45MM guaranteed, though, ranks sixth-most among active defensive tackle contracts.
Five other defensive tackles were taken in the first round of 2019: Quinnen Williams, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons, and Jerry Tillery. Tillery was waived by the Chargers midseason last year. Lawrence agreed to an impressive four-year, $87.5MM deal almost a month ago, and Simmons topped both Oliver and Lawrence with a four-year, $94MM extension, a deal that would top the position if not for Donald. Williams is currently in discussions with the Jets for an extension and should expect a strong one after a first-team All-Pro 2022 season. Wilkins is also in discussions with Miami, but he likely shouldn’t expect to reach the heights of Simmons, Lawrence, or Williams. After two strong seasons, Wilkins may see a deal similar to Oliver’s, but an inconsistent start to his career may limit what he receives.
Back in Buffalo, though, the Bills have locked down the future of their defensive line, especially considering every other experienced defensive tackle on the roster (Jones, Phillips, Tim Settle, and Poona Ford) is set for free agency at the conclusion of the upcoming season. Oliver joins tight end Dawson Knox, who received an extension of his own last September, as the only remaining members of Buffalo’s 2019 draft class.
Im ok with this, it might be higher than I like, but Im not upset by it either.
The market has shifted for DT. This contract ranks 11th for DTs!! Good timing for Oliver!!
Wish it was for less but it likely lowers his cap hit this year.
Nevermind I guess it’s an extension after this season. So $78M/5yrs.
I’m guessing in 2024 it’s the 14th highest cap hit for a DT, looking forward to seeing the yearly breakdown for official numbers though.
Seems like Beane is trying to stay ahead of the curve. Market jumps up to 20+ mil a season for cap hits among the ≈ top 10 DTs.
Buffalo seems to have a lot of players with two first names:
Josh Allen
Kyle Allen
Alex Austin
Gabe Davis
Tommy Doyle
Damien Harris
Travin Howard
Kevin Jarvis
Kingsley Jonathan
Cam Lewis
Sam Martin
Von Miller
Quintin Morris
Latavius Murray
Siran Neal
Ed Oliver
Shane Ray
Jalen Wayne
Joel Wilson
Doyle, Harris and Miller are not first names, cmon now haha
Poker legend Doyle Brunson would’ve said otherwise.
Don’t forget Detroit Tigers pitching legend, Doyle Alexander!
Miller Huggins, former Yankee manager and Babe Ruth adversary
Harris Barton- o-lineman who won 3 Super Bowls with the 49ers.
As I appears, I was incorrect. Carry on good sir
Seems like the rare fair deal for both sides. Oliver gets a pay bump while not breaking the market, and does not have to test free agency or move to a new city. Buffalo allows Oliver to get a respectable deal without having to worry about a replacement. In an age of players focused on pacing the market, it’s unusually refreshing to see two sides come together on a non-market setting but fair deal.
It would be fair if Oliver were a consistent player. Most Bills fans assumed he’d be traded or replaced, not rewarded for such a poor performance (for a first-round pick).
I feel some of that, but I think Oliver is s good player at a position that is harder to replace.
Its probably an overpay, but I don’t think he will end up like Star.
I would have preferred he play out his contract year, but I suspect another move is yet to be made.