The Buffalo Bills are signing offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe to a two-year deal with $7.7 million in guarantees, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Per Nsekhe’s agent, the deal is worth up to $14.5 million with escalations and incentives factored in.
The 6’8”, 330 lb Nsekhe, formerly of Washington, has played the last four seasons in the NFL after a long stint bouncing between practice squads and the arena league. The 33-year-old had been Washington’s swing tackle (and guard), where he played in 54 games from 2015-2018 and started 16. Nsekhe played admirably in relief of linemen like Trent Williams, Brandon Scherff, and Morgan Moses, and he was tendered with a second-round restricted free-agent offer sheet in the previous offseason.
Before his signing, the Bills were looking at Dion Dawkins and Conor McDermott as their starting bookends. Now, Nsekhe could claim a starting right tackle role, or the team could use him in the same role as a super backup if they can find a starter in the draft or from the remaining free agents. He could even see time as the left tackle, moving Dawkins to another position.
He’s certainly being paid like a starter. Buffalo’s previous right tackle, Jordan Mills, just finished a two year, $3.8 million contract with only $400,000 guaranteed.
The move has been lauded around Twitter by analysts and talking heads.