Ascending OT named Bills ‘most important’ contract extension candidate

Experienced football coaches and executives often say that lasting success begins in the trenches and that the foundation of a consistently competitive franchise is built through the offensive and defensive lines.

The Buffalo Bills have subscribed to this philosophy since general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott took over in 2017, rebuilding both units in their image to the point that at this point, both have been quite productive and maintained continuity over the period. recent seasons. The offensive line, in particular, is expected to return four starters in the 2024 campaign (its only subtraction being veteran center Mitch Morse), with left tackle Dion Dawkins, left guard (and now center) Connor McGovern, right guard O ‘Cyrus Torrence, and right tackle Spencer Brown returning from a season ago.

Brown is perhaps the most interesting name among the returning starters, as he enters the final year of his four-year rookie deal. An athletic marvel of a third-round pick from Division 1 FCS school Northern Iowa in the 2021 NFL Draft, Brown is coming off his best season as a professional, starting all 17 games for Buffalo as he demonstrated improved ability both in pass protection and as a run blocker.

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His contract situation is an interesting scenario to watch in an organization that is quick to get ahead of the curve and give ascending players contracts they think they will “play” in; Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler believes Buffalo should extend Brown this summer, identifying the 26-year-old as an extension candidate in an article titled “Each Team’s Most Significant Contract Extension Ahead of 2024 NFL Season.”

“With $10.1 million in cap space available, Buffalo has the flexibility to extend Spencer Brown if he appears fit,” Fowler wrote. “A mainstay at right tackle during his first three seasons, Brown brought immense value to the team after being drafted in the third round.

“Even though 2023 presented some chinks in the armor of Brown’s game, maintaining camaraderie within a top-five group can remain synonymous with an offensive line’s overall success. An extension averaging nearly $7 million per year could be about where Brown could land.

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The author’s conclusion is sound, but his analysis may be a little flawed. It’s true that Brown started 41 of the 44 professional games he played in, but the “pillar” right tackle who “brought immense value” to the team throughout his first two seasons isn’t necessarily an accurate assessment. He was almost universally considered the weak spot on Buffalo’s offensive line entering the 2023 campaign; He showed flashes as a rookie, but largely struggled starting at the end of the 2021 season, allowing 86 total quarterback pressures over his first two campaigns, according to PFF, while consistently taking penalties (eight in 13 games as a rookie and seven in 14 games as a rookie). a second year student).

Brown’s 2023 season was his best as a professional, showing big improvement as a pass blocker (allowing five quick hits and 32, per PFF) while also spreading out his penalties (he has still took nine, but he appeared in 17 games in 2023). Many have questioned his feasibility as Buffalo’s right tackle for the 2023 season, something few do at this point; Fowler, however, suggests that 2023 “has exposed some chinks in the armor.” The former UNI Panther hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been his most promising season yet, a campaign that makes even the idea of ​​an extension seem practical.

Analysis aside, committing Brown to a long-term deal wouldn’t be a terrible move by Buffalo’s leadership if they had confidence in his ability to develop further. The team selected two athletic offensive tackles late in the 2024 NFL Draft, UCF lineman Tylan Grable and Travis Clayton, a member of the NFL International Player Pathway program, who are perhaps low-cost insurance policies. risk and high reward if the team is unable to ultimately reach an extension agreement with Brown.

—Benefit from free bill coverage Buffalo Bills on SI—