June 1 is an important date on the NFL calendar. In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we examine a move made by general manager Brandon Beane to create nearly $8 million in salary cap space: restructuring the contract of All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
We break down the deal and examine its ramifications for 2021 and beyond, speculate on whether the new-found cap savings will be used to pursue a trade for disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz, and more.
We also hear how Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen were among the most popular jersey sales in the NFL, learn how head coach Sean McDermott left with a good feeling about the Bills following their effort at the recently concluded OTAs, discuss which rookie has the best chance at developing into Buffalo’s latest weapon, and more!
Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Bills restructure Stefon Diggs’s contract, create 2021 cap space - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills made a bold salary cap move on Tuesday, converting a large portion of Stefon Diggs’s 2021 salary to a “signing bonus” in order to spread out the cap hit over multiple seasons.
Circling the Wagons: Bills stadium discussion, “Embedded”, player vaccinations - Buffalo Rumblings
Let’s talk current Bills topics! Listen now!
Buffalo Bills Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs among most popular jerseys in the NFL - Buffalo Rumblings
Allen (ninth in jersey sales) and Diggs (50th) enjoyed tremendous success on and off the field in 2020.
90 Bills scouting reports in 90 days: defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. - Buffalo Rumblings
The legacy player has a long road to a roster spot in 2021.
Overreaction Podcast | Continuity Conversations - Buffalo Rumblings
In this episode of the Overreaction Sports Podcast, join Joe as he jumps into another one of those theoretical words, this time "continuity."
Plays that defined 2020: Week 13—Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers - Buffalo Rumblings
A return to the site of infamy.
AFC East Roundup: Biggest remaining questions - Buffalo Rumblings
None of these teams are perfect.
Code Of Conduct: Rewind, featuring RB Antonio Williams - Buffalo Rumblings
Join us as we chat with the Bills RB!
Plays that defined 2020: Week 12—Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Wait, didn’t we already play these guys?
90 Buffalo Bills scouting reports in 90 days: guard Ike Boettger - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills liked Ike enough to keep him for another year.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Bills gain cap flexibility, rework WR Stefon Diggs’ contract...
Bills open salary cap space by restructuring Stefon Diggs’ contract – what might they do with it? | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
According to a report Monday from ESPN’s Field Yates, the Bills have converted a portion of wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ base salary into a signing bonus, freeing up $7,812,222 in space under the 2021 cap.
Bills restructure Stefon Diggs’ contract to create $7.8 million in cap space for 2021 (report) - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo now has roughly $11 million in salary cap space with 3 open roster spots.
Report: Bills convert Stefon Diggs’ salary into bonus - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bill have opened up over $7.8 million of salary cap space in 2021 by converting wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ base salary into a signing bonus, spreading the cap hit out over the next three years, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Source - Bills restructure contract of WR Stefon Diggs - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills Blog
“The Buffalo Bills converted more than $11.7 million of wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ base salary into a signing bonus, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates, saving the team roughly $8 million of salary-cap space,” writes Marcel Louis-Jacques.
Does this mean a Zach Ertz trade is coming?
Is Buffalo opening up cap space for a Zach Ertz trade? - WGR 550
“The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to either trade or release tight end Zach Ertz any day, and it could happen at any moment now that June 1 has arrived,” writes Eliot Shorr-Parks.
Zach Ertz trade odds: Bills the favorite to land Eagles legend after restructuring Stefon Diggs’ contract - CBSSports.com
“The Bills have put themselves in position to make a move for Ertz,” writes Jeff Kerr.
A slimmed down Star Loutlelei sighting
Star Lotulelei sighting: Video shows Bills defensive tackle going through workout | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Lotulelei, 31, is listed on the Bills’ roster at 315 pounds, but appears in the video to be slimmed down,” writes Jay Skurski.
Bills’ Star Lotulelei appears in training video amid retirement rumors (video) - newyorkupstate.com
“After opting out of the 2020 NFL season because of Covid-19, fans began to wonder if Lotulelei might choose to retire instead of returning to the Bills this year,” writes Matt Parrino.
Buffalo’s effort at OTA’s leaves strong impression on Sean McDermott
Strong attendance at OTAs has Sean McDermott feeling good | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“It’s really good to have the players here. I really appreciate the participation and numbers that have shown up for us,” McDermott said.
Which rookie will become the Bills’ newest weapon?
Bills Today | Who’s Buffalo’s most dangerous new weapon? - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Tuesday, June 1.
Odds and ends
Andrew Hawkins’ Top 5 WRs entering 2021 - BuffaloBills.com
“NFL Network’s Andrew Hawkins shares his top five wide receivers entering the 2021 NFL season.”
Pandemic Lessons: How much should we care what Josh Allen says about vaccines? | Local News | buffalonews.com
“In this “Pandemic Lessons,” we examine the weight of influencer endorsements (or non-endorsements) of vaccination and explore who has the most impact on individual decisions,” writes Tim O’Shei.