The Buffalo Bills have signed linebacker Tyler Matakevich to a one-year contract extension, according to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafalo. The move keeps Matakevich with the team through the 2022 season, and it’s likely to lower his salary cap hit in 2021 to boot.
Matakevich is Buffalo’s most important special teams player that doesn’t snap or kick the ball. He played on 76 percent of special teams snaps, a figure which led the team in 2020, and tied his career-high with 23 total tackles (12 solo). He also played 72 snaps on defense for the Bills as a backup linebacker. The Bills signed him looking for a leader on the unit, and he immediately delivered.
Set to have a $3.7 million salary cap hit in 2021, Matakevich is likely to cost a little bit less after his extension. There’s not much room to work here, but every little bit helps in this cap-strapped season.