The Buffalo Bills don’t have a ton of cap space heading into the 2018 offseason but they have plenty of free agents. Seantrel Henderson is one of the most intriguing question marks as his rookie contract has expired.
Henderson has 27 starts during his four-year career but was replaced by head coach Sean McDermott in 2017, partly because he was going to be suspended for the first part of the year. His suspensions for substance abuse have also added up, to the tune of 14 games over his career. The next suspension will wipe out an entire season in the escalating substance abuse program. But there’s a catch; Henderson claims his marijuana use is medicinal to deal with his Crohn’s disease because the marijuana doesn’t upset his digestive track like other painkillers. It’s still against the NFL’s rules.
There was some chatter around Henderson at the trade deadline as tackle-needy teams looked at Buffalo’s surplus. With only one legit left tackle hitting the free agent market, those tackle-needy teams are still in play for Henderson’s services.
Previous contract
Henderson comes to the Bills as a former seventh round pick, who fell to the late rounds due to drug use in college. His talent was on display from the start, and he ended up being an important part of Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan’s offensive lines in his first two seasons before being stricken. The lower cap hit in 2016 reflects the suspension and missed games.
2014 cap hit: $432,720
2015 cap hit: $522,720
2016 cap hit: $295,072*
2017 cap hit: $778,816
Comparables
Jordan Mills signed a two-year, $3.8 million deal to replace Henderson prior to the 2017 season. He had signed a one-year, $1.67 million deal the year before to do the same. Using that contract as a guide, Henderson won’t break the bank but he could cash in a little on his first visit to free agency given his history as a starting tackle and ability to play both sides, something Mills couldn’t. Mills currently has the 23rd-highest right tackle contract per yearly average, per Spotrac.
Contract Projection
Two years, $4 million with a $400,00 signing bonus
2018
Pro-rated signing bonus: $200,000
Salary: $1.3 million
Cap hit: $1.5 million
2019
Pro-rated signing bonus: $200,000
Salary: $2.3 million
Cap hit: $2.5 million
- Pros for Henderson: signing bonus, stays in familiar surroundings, short term allows him ability to get big payout before he’s 30
- Pros for Bills: insurance on tumultuous o-line, player who can back up both tackle spots, low guaranteed money