SI -Characters Bills’ Critical Terrel Bernard -Contract Extension

The Buffalo calculations have been focused on locking their top talent on long-term extensions and one of the movements receives high praise.

Sports illustrated Author Matt Verderame classified all free agency signatures during the high season so far. He chimed in on Bills’ Terrel Bernard extension, which contains four additional years and $ 50 million with $ 25.2 million guaranteed.

Verderame praised Buffalo for bringing a key piece back to defense and classified the move with an A.

“Bernard has been a threat in the middle of Bills’ defense in the last two seasons, recording 247 tackles, 7.5 sacks and five interceptions. One of the more versatile linebackers in the league he gives Buffalo an excellent combination on the second level with all-pro Matt Matt Milan.”

Last season, Bills helped ‘team captain Bills’ Linebacking Core after not having Milan in all except four games. Bernard was second on the team in tackles with 104, added five tackles for losses and tied to a team high two eavesdropping. He missed the time earlier in the season with a strained pectoral muscle.

Since he was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, Bernard has emerged as one of Bills’ top defenses. He didn’t get that much playing time in his rookie season, but would explode on stage in 2023 with 143 tackles, five passports, three fumble recovery and three captures playing in each game.

It has been a good first three years for Bernard as he has a great combination of stopping the race and falling back into the coverage. Verderame’s note about Bernard and Milan is a GO duo makes sense as the two give one of the best linebacker combinations in the league. Cannot forget the influence that Dorian Williams also has, as he and Bernard were important in Milan’s absence.

Related: Bills prevent the longest-tenant plays in reaching free agency

These three guys give the bills stability at linebacker throughout the 2026 season. Milan and Williams’ contracts end in Buffalo in 2027, as both become unlimited free agents.

Buffalo had made sure to secure the future of the franchise with some major signings, including Greg Rousseau and Khalil Shakir. The argument could be made that Bernard may be the less risky and the most important step so far this season.

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