Bills Could Create Cap Space by Extending Defensive Lineman Oliver

A contract extension for Ed Oliver could provide significant salary cap relief for the Buffalo Bills.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills are currently over the 2026 NFL salary cap, and an NFL salary cap expert has proposed a potential contract extension for defensive tackle Ed Oliver that could create significant cap space. The extension would add two years to Oliver's deal and $45 million, lowering his 2026 cap hit from $23.9 million to $12.3 million, an $11.6 million reduction.

Why it matters

The Bills have prided themselves on building a deep defensive line, and retaining key players like Oliver is crucial. However, the team is currently over the 2026 salary cap, so finding ways to create cap space will be a priority this offseason. Extending Oliver could provide the Bills with the flexibility they need to address other roster needs and remain competitive.

The details

Ed Oliver's 2025 season was hampered by injuries, but when healthy, he proved he can still play at a high level. Spotrac's Mike Ginnitti proposed a contract extension for Oliver that would add two years and $45 million to his deal, lowering his 2026 cap hit from $23.9 million to $12.3 million. This would provide the Bills with significant cap relief as they look to navigate a tight financial situation.

  • Oliver is signed through the 2027 season.
  • The Bills are currently $10 million over the 2026 NFL salary cap, which is projected to range from $301.2 million to $305.7 million.

The players

Ed Oliver

A seven-year pro defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills who had an injury-plagued 2025 season but has proven he can still play at a high level.

Mike Ginnitti

An NFL salary cap expert who proposed a potential contract extension for Ed Oliver that could create significant cap space for the Buffalo Bills.

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What they’re saying

“Ed Oliver has two years left. It's a sizable cap hit in terms of how things land here for Buffalo.”

— Mike Ginnitti, NFL Salary Cap Expert (Spotrac)

“I know they've drafted, and they do have a plentiful amount of interior linemen, but this is just an organization that has prided themselves on being as deep as humanly possible here. I'm going to extend Oliver to lower the cap hit, to give him a few years guaranteed. And it's not top of the market stuff here.”

— Mike Ginnitti, NFL Salary Cap Expert (Spotrac)

What’s next

The Buffalo Bills front office will need to evaluate Ginnitti's proposed extension for Ed Oliver and determine if it is a viable option to help create the necessary salary cap space to address other roster needs this offseason.

The takeaway

Retaining key defensive players like Ed Oliver is crucial for the Bills, but the team's current salary cap situation means they will need to get creative with contract extensions and restructures to free up space. Ginnitti's proposal demonstrates one potential path forward that could provide the Bills with significant cap relief while keeping Oliver in Buffalo.