When the Buffalo Bills matched the offer sheet that Ryan Groy signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason, some took it as a sign that veteran center Eric Wood was in his final season with the team. That speculation can officially be laid to rest, as Wood signed a two-year contract extension with the Bills just this afternoon the team announced.
The veteran was Buffalo’s first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, selected 28th overall. He began his career playing at right guard, switching to center full-time for the 2011 season. He has remained the team’s starter at the position ever since.
Wood has played in 104 games for the Bills, all starts, since he entered the league. He was a Pro Bowl player in 2015, and he was having another excellent year last season before breaking his leg in a Monday Night football loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Now that the Bills have re-signed Wood, their entire projected starting offensive line is under contract through at least next season. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, we have some contract details.
Wood was set to become a free agent following the 2017 season. The new deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus, to be paid out over this season and the two future seasons, and a $1.75 million roster bonus, to be paid out on September 1st. $14.2 million of the deal contains some guarantees, and the overall value is $16 million. Speaking to the media, Bills general manager Brandon Beane mentioned that Wood has been playing well and leading their offensive line. The Bills have recognized Wood as a cornerstone of their offensive line, and they’re paying him like it.