This afternoon, another defensive tackle from the list of potential 2024 free agents is off the board. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ed Oliver, and the Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms on a four-year, $68 million extension, including $45 million guaranteed.
- Oliver was selected ninth overall by the Bills in 2019. The former first-rounder was slated to play for the Bills on his fifth-year option in 2023. Instead, Oliver will stay in Buffalo through the 2027 season. Oliver missed three games at the beginning of last season due to an ankle injury, he finished the year with three pass breakups, one forced fumble and 34 total tackles.
- During his four seasons in Buffalo, Ed Oliver has logged 14.5 sacks, 96 tackles, and four forced fumbles. The 25-year-old defensive tackle has shown glimpses of dominant play and the ability to take over games. Unfortunately, consistency has been an issue for Oliver. His inconsistency allowed the Bills to extend him on a very reasonable deal. With the $10.753 million from the fifth-year option, Oliver will make an AAV of $15.75 million over the next five years. That is currently the 16th highest among interior defensive linemen. So, Buffalo avoided losing Oliver in free agency next offseason at a price point that Brandon Beane and the Bills can live with.
- With the Cowboys moving on from Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, the RB1 job in Dallas belongs to Tony Pollard. Pollard suffered a nasty leg injury during the Cowboys’ loss to the 49ers in the NFC playoffs last season. He was diagnosed with a broken left leg and a high ankle sprain. However, Pollard says he’s actually ahead of schedule in his rehab. While he is only attending the conditioning and walk-through portions of the Cowboys’ OTAs, Pollard feels faster than before the injury. “I’m a little bit ahead of schedule,” Pollard said. “I’m not really limited at this point, it’s just being smart with it.”
- Pollard led the Cowboys in rushing last season with career highs of 193 carries, 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. Elliott finished with 231 carries for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. Pollard says he’s ready for the challenge of filling Elliott’s shoes as the bell-cow in Dallas.
“I’m definitely ready for the opportunity,” Pollard said. “Having a vet like Zeke here for the years that I was here with him, it was a great learning experience for me to see how you’re supposed to handle things as a vet and the older guy in the room. He did a great job paving the way for me and just showing me how to lead those guys by example.
“We got a great stable of backs here, but it’s a great feeling personally when they look at you as the lead back in the room. I’m just grateful for the opportunity, and I’m ready to make the most of it.”
- Pollard, who is entering his fifth season, is playing under the franchise tag. If he and the Cowboys are unable to work out a long-term deal by the July 17 deadline, Pollard will make a little over $10 million this season.
- No offense to Romeo Doubs, but I’m not buying the theory that there will be no drop-off from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Look, Jordan Love could turn out to be a great quarterback. However, to say that there won’t be a drop-off from a future Hall of Famer to essentially a rookie quarterback is just rah-rah locker room fodder.
- The DeAndre Hopkins to Cleveland rumors are gaining steam. I wrote about Deshaun Watson’s desire to have Hopkins in Cleveland with him last week. I also wrote about the budding chemistry between Watson and the receivers in Cleveland as of now:
- That’s soon-to-be Chicago Blackhawk, Connor Bedard, to be exact!