Kyle Williams contract extension details: more DL money for Buffalo Bills

Last week, when it was announced that the Buffalo Bills had agreed to a contract extension with long-time defensive lineman Kyle Williams, it was assumed that the purpose of the extension would be to lower Williams' 2015 salary cap hit, while rewarding a player that has for years been a stalwart of the Bills defense with some upfront money.

When the actual numbers of the one-year extension were reported by ESPN's Mike Rodak this morning, Bills fans had to be surprised to see that rather than Williams' 2015 cap hit decreasing, it actually went up, with his 2016 cap hit increasing as well.

Between 2015 and 2016, the deal costs the Bills an additional $1.55 million in cap space beyond Williams' old contract terms. Although Williams is still playing at a high level, he had two years remaining on his contract (with 2016 essentially serving as a team option year, as Williams had no remaining dead money on his contract) and will be 32 entering this season.

Although straightforward, let's break down Williams' new contract when compared to his previous existing contract:

2015 payouts

$4.5 million (signing bonus)
$4.5 million (base salary; previously $4.8 million)
Total: $9 million (previously $5.45 million)

2015 salary cap

$1.5 million (prorated new signing bonus)
$950,000 (prorated old signing bonus)
$4.5 million (base salary)
Total: $6.95 million (previously $6.4 million)

2016 payouts

$6 million (base salary; previously $7 million)
$500,000 (roster bonus, due on Day 5 of 2016 league year)
Total: $6.5 million (previously $7 million)

2016 salary cap

$1.5 million (prorated new signing bonus)
$6 million (base salary)
$500,000 (roster bonus, due on Day 5 of 2016 league year)
Total: $8 million (previously $7 million)

2017 payouts

$6.3 million (base salary)
$500,000 (roster bonus, due on Day 5 of 2017 league year)
Total: $6.8 million

2017 salary cap

$1.5 million (prorated new signing bonus)
$6.3 million (base salary)
$500,000 (roster bonus, due on Day 5 of 2017 league year)
Total: $8.3 million

In short, although it is nice to reward a fan favorite, this contract was completely unnecessary, and poor business. This type of move is the antithesis of the way that the New England Patriots handle their long-time, but aging, stars, with new Houston defensive tackle Vince Wilfork the most recent example.