Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he instructed his agent, Patrick Collins, to negotiate a deal that would be salary cap friendly before reaching an agreement on a six-year, $350 million extension on Sunday (March 9).

"I wasn't looking to absolutely kill them at every chance I could, and I told my agent that," Allen said via ESPN. "I was like, 'If it has any impact on the cap, let's figure out a way to not do that.'

"Both sides were willing to move and change different things, and it was a pretty calm-mannered negotiation is what I can say from both sides."

Allen, who is one month removed from winning the 2024 NFL MVP award, will be paid an average annual salary of $55 million, which is tied with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott for the second-highest in NFL history, though many expected him to be paid more.

"It didn't seem like from my perspective I was taking a whole lot less," Allen said via ESPN. "But the way I make sense of it, when you start getting these fairly big numbers throughout the entire league -- it's weird to say this -- but what is [$5 million] more going to do for my life that I can't already do right now? It's not that crazy to me.

"I live a pretty good life. Got a house, got a car. We're good."

Allen is among several key Bills starter to be rewarded with an extension this offseason following defensive end Gregory Rousseau agreeing to a four-year, $80 million deal; linebacker Terrell Bernard agreeing to a four-year, $50 million deal; and wide receiver Khalil Shakir agreeing to a four-year, $53 million deal. Shakir emerged as Allen's primary receiver in 2024, leading Buffalo with 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns, following the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis in the offseason.

Allen has turned the Bills into a perennial contender, having led Buffalo to five consecutive AFC East Division titles and two AFC Championship Game appearances.

Mel Taylor