NFL teams have until May 2 to exercise or decline the 5th-year options of their 1st-round pick/s from the 2021 NFL Draft. The 5th-year options are based on four tiers, including the player making multiple Pro Bowls, one Pro Bowl, or having significant playing time. If the player doesn’t meet any requirements, they get placed in a different tier. The 33rd Team goes into further detail.
The Buffalo Bills made their decision.
The Buffalo Bills made their decision regarding the 5th-year option of their EDGE rusher
Greg Rousseau has a 5th-year option worth $13,387,000 for the 2025 season.
The Bills exercised Rousseau’s 5th-year option.
He has developed into a reliable pass rusher in his first three seasons.
Greg Rousseau has had a solid start to his NFL career
The Bills drafted Greg Rousseau in the 1st round, 30th overall of the 2021 NFL Draft. Rousseau has 129 tackles, 30 TFLs, 42 QB hits, 17 sacks, one interception, 12 pass deflections, and three forced fumbles in 46 games and 46 starts.
Rousseau had a decent rookie season. He started every game with 50 tackles, eight TFLs, ten QB hits, four sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and a 70.2 PFF Grade. He finished 8th in tackles, 4th in tackles for loss, 2nd in QB hits, and 3rd in sacks.
Rousseau had his best statistical season in his second season. He played in 13 games, starting 13, with 37 tackles, ten TFLs, 14 QB hits, eight sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and an 83.6 PFF Grade. He finished 9th in tackles, 2nd in tackles for loss, 1st in QB hits, and 1st in sacks.
Rousseau had a slight decline in his stats but still played well in his third season. He played in 16 games, starting 16, with 42 tackles, 12 TFLs, 18 QB hits, five sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and an 85.6 PFF Grade. He finished 9th in tackles, 2nd in tackles for loss, 2nd in QB hits, and 5th in sacks.
The Bills retained two pass rushers despite having an underwhelming offseason.
The Buffalo Bills extended their 2nd round pick
The Bills signed A.J. Epenesa to a 2-year, $12 million contract. Epenesa has developed into a reliable pass rusher. He has 64 tackles, 19 TFLs, 33 QB hits, and 15.5 sacks in 58 games and four starts.
The Bills also reworked the contract of their Pro Bowl edge rusher.
The Buffalo Bills and their Pro Bowl pass rusher agreed to a pay cut
Von Miller agreed to take a pay cut.
Miller tore his ACL on Thanksgiving during the 2022 season. He missed the first four games of the 2023 season and had his worst season as a pro, failing to record a sack in 12 regular season games and two playoff games.
The Buffalo Bills will have three of their top four pass rushers back next season. Greg Rousseau is under contract for the next two years.
For More Content:
Follow me on X @JacksonLoschko. If you have any questions, you can message me on Linkedin. To read more of our articles and be updated on the latest in CFB/NFL, click here.
