The Buffalo Bills and linebacker Terrel Bernard have agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $50 million, two league sources confirmed this morning.
NFL Network was first on the agreement, which includes $25.2 million guaranteed.
The Bills announced the agreement at 9:09 a.m.
Bernard joins fellow 2022 draft pick Khalil Shakir in signing extensions with the Bills this month.
A third-round pick (No. 99), Bernard became a starter in 2023 after Tremaine Edmunds left for Chicago in free agency and a starter/defensive captain in 2024. He has 269 tackles in 46 regular season games (31 starts) and 21 tackles in five playoff games (four starts).
Bernard led the Bills with 143 tackles in 2023. Last year, he was second on the team with 104 tackles despite missing two games with a pectoral strain. In the playoff win over Baltimore, he forced and recovered a fourth-quarter fumble near midfield.
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The Shakir and Bernard business concluded, Bills general manager Brandon Beane can shift his focus toward the start of free agency next week. The negotiating window opens Monday at noon and agreements can be announced at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Bills Ravens NFL Playoff Football (copy)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) forces a fumble on Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) and then recovers it during the second half of an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 19, 2025. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Reaching agreements with Shakir and Bernard represents a trend shift for Beane.
Among his draft picks in rounds 2-7 since 2018, Beane signed (or agreed to terms with) cornerback Taron Johnson signed on Oct. 9, 2021, tight end Dawson Knox on Sept. 7, 2022, kicker Tyler Bass on April 20, 2023 and right tackle Spencer Brown on Sept. 6, 2024.
Shakir agreed to terms Feb. 25 while the Bills were at the scouting combine and now Bernard.
Two more 2022 draft picks are also looking for extensions – running back James Cook and cornerback Christian Benford.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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