The Buffalo Bills locked down a big piece of their defense over the offseason, signing edge rusher Greg Rousseau to an $80 million contract that will keep him in Buffalo through the end of the decade.
But Rousseau’s performance has not matched his eight-figure contract so far this season, leading one outlet to call him out as the most “disappointing” player. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon pointed out that the highly paid Rousseau has not brought much production for the Bills, which is the main cause of some major defensive miscues through their two-game losing streak.
Bills Not Seeing Return on Greg Rousseau
Gagnon pointed out that the Bills made Rousseau the highest-paid player on their defense, showing plenty of faith after four productive seasons in Buffalo.
“The highest-paid defensive player on the roster has just 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits in six games,” Gagnon wrote. “He beats out Matt Milano, who simply can’t stay healthy. Bills fans should be used to that by now.”
Rousseau had 25 total sacks through his first four seasons in Buffalo, starting all 62 games he appeared in. But the 25-year-old edge rusher is well below his normal pace this season, making just 1.5 sacks through the first six games of the season with 15 total tackles, two passes defensed, and four total quarterback hits.
There are no hints of animosity between Rousseau and the Bills. Rousseau had plenty of praise for the Bills after signing his four-year, $80 million contract extension in the offseason, saying he felt lucky to join a team like Buffalo.
“Just a blessing from God, and couldn’t be any happier just to be back here in Buffalo,” Rousseau said after he signed this offseason. “It’s been a special place ever since they picked me in 2021. Beane, the trust that he’s put in me, and also to trust me with this second contract and reward me with this, it just means world to me. I’m just ready to go out there and just keep on putting it all on the line for my teammates, try to win as many as possible, be the best player I can be and get to that next level.”
Bills Getting Some Help at the Edge
Rousseau’s work could become a bit easier with the return of two defensive linemen. The team had signed Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi over the offseason, but learned within days that both would be suspended for the first six games of the season after violating the league’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said it remained to be seen how much the two would be utilized, but said it was good to have them finally in the mix.
âItâll be good to get these two guys back in the mixMc with the injuries that we have in particular,â McDermott said, via the Democrat & Chronicle. âAnd weâll see how it all unfolds, right? Itâs a little bit of an interesting situation, somewhat unique when you practice in training camp and you go on this hiatus, if you will, and then you come back and practice again. And itâs natural to expect that thereâs gonna be some knocking off of the rust. And so we have to manage our expectations with that. But it certainly will help in terms of numbers and guys who have played.â
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