The 5 highest-paid Buffalo Bills in 2024

The Buffalo Bills have built a top-tier team over the last four seasons. Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have built a foundation together by recruiting well and focusing on player development. We see players emerge as stars every year, and while their success helps the team, it also means they’ll be looking to get the bag in contract negotiations. The Bills have paid their best players over the years, but that has limited them in what they can do in free agency over the last two offseasons.

This past offseason, the Bills felt like big contracts were having a big impact on the team, with Buffalo having to release several players just to stay under the salary cap. The roster looks very different, but make no mistake, the Bills are still one of the best teams in the NFL until they prove that they aren’t.

Buffalo will need its cheap players to make significant progress, but will still need its highest-paid players to lead this team to success.

We take a look at the five highest-paid players the Bills pay via Spotrac.

Salary cap hit: $9.7 million

A year ago, the Bills signed Ed Oliver to a four-year contract, which was questionable. But it turned out to be a steal considering Oliver’s production last season. He set career highs in sacks and total tackles. Oliver had his ups and downs early in his career, but he has progressed as a pass rusher, which has helped take pressure off the defensive secondary. Buffalo is going to need him to continue that momentum, as the secondary is virtually all new in terms of starters.

Salary cap: $11.5 million

The Bills’ top-rated offensive lineman has been a key player for the franchise since his arrival. He’s been voted to the Pro Bowl the last three seasons and continues to be the true anchor of the offensive line. The Bills gave Dawkins a three-year, $60.5 million deal last offseason and he deserves it.

Salary cap hit: $12.4 million

The All-Pro linebacker has been the Bills’ top defender for quite some time now. While he’s had some injury issues (including a season-ending injury in Week 5 of last season), Milano has been nothing short of spectacular for this defense. Bills fans will be hoping that Milano can stay healthy next season, especially since Terrel Bernard has taken a big step forward and shown everyone what he’s capable of.

Salary cap hit: $15.1 million

Von Miller and the Bills have had a rocky road. After signing a massive six-year deal in 2022, Miller was brought to Buffalo to become the pass rusher the Bills had been missing for seasons. Miller started the 2022 season well with the Bills, racking up 8 sacks before tearing his ACL on Thanksgiving. Miller surprisingly returned to the field earlier than expected last year (Week 5), but he was more of a liability than an asset. The frustration with Miller is understandable, but it’s also important to keep in mind that coming back from a major injury isn’t easy.

However, with the money Miller is making, he is expected to be back to his old self in 2024.

Salary cap hit: $30.3 million

Allen’s contract looks more and more like a bargain every time a quarterback signs a new big contract and resets the market. However, that could easily change if Allen gets a new deal in the near future. It’s the right move considering what Allen has been able to bring to the Bills over the last two seasons.

The roster Allen will have to work with next season could be the toughest since his rookie year. At the same time, the Bills are now confident that Allen can help the players around him improve, rather than the other way around.