QB Tyrod Taylor agrees to extension with Bills

Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor has signed a new six-year contract, ending a back-and-forth negotiation that trickled into camp from the offseason.

According to NFL.com, Taylor's deal, which was confirmed by the Bills on Friday, is worth $90million - an average of $15m-per-season – and can increase further in value if incentives are met.

The 27-year-old, who in 2015 had the second-highest single-season passer rating in Bills history, was entering the final year of his contract and set to make just over $1m - the lowest in the league among starting quarterbacks.

Taylor told the franchise's website: "I've always had the mind-set of just focusing on football.

"I've never played the game for the money. Since I was a little kid I enjoyed the game of football, but I'm thankful that the Pegulas and the Bills organization and coach Rex Ryan last year gave me an opportunity to come and compete for this job. Just thankful for them and recognizing that they wanted me here for more than another year.

"It's still sinking in right now. Football is what I want to do and I’m excited that I’m playing in Buffalo."

According to multiple reports, the biggest stumbling block to reaching the agreement was Taylor’s limited experience as a starting QB. He was a backup for four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before getting his shot last season with the Bills.

Given that opportunity, Taylor completed 242 of 380 passes for 3,035 yards, with 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2015. He also added 568 yards on the ground with four rushing TDs and led all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards per game at 40.6, missing two games through injury as the Bills finished 8-8.

Bills general manager Doug Whaley made it clear that the dearth of quality quarterbacks in the league played a part in the Bills' decision to lock up Taylor despite him only one season of starting experience.

He said: "Tyrod has earned the respect of his team-mates and coaches with his work ethic and talent.

"We believe his performance on the field will continue to ascend. He's dedicated to his craft as a quarterback and he's become a leader in this organization.

"This is a quarterback driven league and those quarterbacks are hard to find. We believe we're going in the right direction with Tyrod Taylor and that he can take this team where it needs to go."