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With the NFL’s preseason now underway with the Hall of Fame taking place on Thursday, real games that count are just around the corner.
With time ticking, ESPN made some bold predictions for all 32 teams before kickoff weekend in September. For the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen signing his long-awaited extension is the pick.
Here’s the analysis from the former world-wide leader:
Both sides — general manager Brandon Beane and the quarterback — have played it coy when asked about the status of Allen’s extension talks, making it clear that the issue is a matter of “when,” not “if.” Beane said the organization won’t be worried if a deal doesn’t get done until next year, but he has a track record (see: Tre’Davious White and Dion Dawkins) for getting these deals done before the buzzer. There’s a chance Allen’s market value will rise even further with another MVP-caliber season, and the Bills might want to finalize something before the Ravens do with Lamar Jackson. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
What comes into question next: When do the Bills have until to work on said extension?
We’ve heard multiple reports on this. Some say Aug. 15, around the time of the team’s first preseason game, while others mention the start of the regular season.
Dawkins and White’s extensions also are worth noting here, but the circumstances were certainly different. Since that duo inked their new contracts, the NFL salary cap has dropped because of COVID-19.
It is expected that the salary cap will rise again next year, but exactly how much remains uncertain. That’s a big part of the waiting game Buffalo is currently playing because the more space, the better, in terms of signing a player to a massive contract.
If the Bills and Allen wait until next offseason to finalize a team, by then, they’ll both know where the salary cap stands.
But even with that, time and time again, this scenario in the NFL has proven that getting a deal signed sooner can often be better.
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