Cordy Glenn, Bills Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Buffalo Bills and star offensive tackle Cordy Glenn agreed to a new five-year contract on Tuesday, according to Glenn's management firm, SportsTrust Advisors.   

The Bills would later confirm the news. 

The deal is for five years and $65 million, with $36 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, who added it's worth $30 million over the first two years. The guaranteed money is the second most ever for an offensive tackle, per Rapoport. 

The Bills used the franchise tag on Glenn in March, but the two sides were able to reach an agreement on a long-term deal that will keep Glenn in Buffalo for the foreseeable future.

Retaining Glenn, 26, and securing him on a long-term deal was a major priority for the Bills, as the team couldn't afford to lose Pro Football Focus' 10th-ranked offensive tackle and fifth-ranked pass-blocking tackle during the 2015 season (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).

Indeed, for a team built around LeSean McCoy and the running game under head coach Rex Ryan, solidifying the offensive line was key for Buffalo. Glenn's ability to protect quarterback Tyrod Taylor's left side in pass protection only made him more valuable for the Bills.

Glenn will be expected to anchor the Bills offensive line for years to come. In an offseason that saw a fair amount of turnover in Buffalo, including the release of defensive end Mario Williams, the retention of Glenn for the long term was imperative.

The Bills prioritized defense at the top of the 2016 draft, bringing aboard two likely immediate starters in defensive end Shaq Lawson and linebacker Reggie Ragland. They had to have been confident a deal with Glenn could be worked out to not draft an heir apparent at his key position early on.

But Buffalo has other big priorities to take care of in Taylor and its top cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, before they hit the open market in 2017.

General manager Doug Whaley presumably brought aboard fourth-round draft pick Cardale Jones as a contingency plan in case Taylor doesn't remain with the team. Former first-round QB EJ Manuel is also a free agent after this coming season if the club doesn't pick up his fifth-year option.

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