Bills Face Huge $19 Million Decision on Underrated Star

Will the Bills want to offer big money to keep guard David Edwards?

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills will have a tough decision to make this offseason regarding guard David Edwards, who is set to become a free agent. Edwards has been a key part of the Bills' offensive line and run game, but his market value is estimated at around $19.9 million per year, which would be a significant investment for the team.

Why it matters

With quarterback Josh Allen in his prime, the Bills need to keep their offensive line intact to protect him and maintain their strong running game. Edwards has been an underrated but important piece of that unit, so the team will have to weigh whether he is worth the high price tag on the open market.

The details

Edwards has been a bargain for the Bills over the past two seasons, but his value has risen after the top free agent guards last year signed deals averaging $23 million and $17.5 million per year. The Bills will have to decide if Edwards, who is coming off his best season, is worth a similar high-priced contract or if they need to find a cheaper replacement at the position.

  • Edwards is set to become a free agent this offseason.

The players

David Edwards

A guard who has been a key part of the Bills' offensive line and run game over the past two seasons.

Josh Allen

The Bills' star quarterback who is in his prime and needs a strong offensive line to protect him.

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What they’re saying

“Edwards has been a bargain for the Bills the last two years and is coming off his best season, helping open up holes on the ground for James Cook.”

— Kevin Patra, NFL.com writer (NFL.com)

“After all, last year's top two free-agent guards -- Trey Smith and Will Fries -- signed multi-year deals with average annual values of $23 million and $17.5 million, respectively. Edwards is a rock-solid guard, but is he worth Joe Thuney-type money?”

— Kevin Patra, NFL.com writer (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Bills will need to decide in the coming months whether to re-sign Edwards to a lucrative long-term deal or let him test free agency.

The takeaway

The Bills face a tough decision on whether to invest heavily in keeping guard David Edwards, who has been an underrated but important part of their offensive line and run game. With quarterback Josh Allen in his prime, the team needs to weigh the high cost of retaining Edwards against the potential impact of losing a key piece of their offensive line.