Despite missing the playoffs again in 2016, it’s not like the Buffalo Bills were without talent. During the first few days of free agency, Buffalo lost two starters and a third contributor who signed big contracts elsewhere (and contributed to the big holes in the wide receiver and defensive back corps).
Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore’s deal with the New England Patriots is the biggest in a while for a former Buffalo Bills player. The former first round pick got a lot of guaranteed and upfront money. He received an $18 million signing bonus as part of his $40 million in guaranteed money. When you add that signing bonus to his $4.5 million salary in 2017, he’ll make about the same in one year as he made with his entire Bills rookie contract. His 2018 salary of $8.5 million is also guaranteed. The total value of the deal is $65 million.
Robert Woods
Woods is getting the best of both worlds; he gets to return to his hometown of Los Angeles and make a lot of money. His five-year, $34 million deal with $15 million guaranteed is a touch on the low end but compares well to receivers with his numbers. While Woods didn’t receive a signing bonus, he gets a $4 million roster bonus this Friday. He made just $4.87 million on his rookie contract in Buffalo. His salaries total $3 million, $5 million, $4.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million and also receives a $3 million roster bonus in 2018. These numbers are a combination of figures from the Houston Chronicle and OverTheCap.com.
Marquise Goodwin
No doubt, the most surprising number for a former Bills player went to receiver Marquise Goodwin. He signed a nice deal with the San Francisco 49ers with $4.45 million guaranteed, despite his injury history. His 2017 salary of $1.95 million is guaranteed and he will receive a $2.5 million signing bonus. He made $2.85 million on his entire rookie contract with the Bills. His salary in 2018 is $1.45 million. He can also earn $1 million in incentives each year. Spotrac and the Houston Chronicle contributed to these numbers.
Other former Bills
The only other Bills players to sign deals were long snapper Garrison Sanborn, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for what is likely a small contract. Linebacker Lerentee McCray signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.