Bills GM eyes Allen extension, wants deal to make sense for both sides

The Buffalo Bills' next order of business is a contract extension for Josh Allen.

General manager Brandon Beane spoke of his intentions to get the quarterback tied to a long-term deal sooner than later while appearing on "The Huddle and Flow" podcast.

"It helps you for your planning the sooner you can get that contract done. Again, I hope that we can get him done, if not this year, next year. You don't want to get into the franchise (tag) and all that stuff. It's a tool that you use if you have to to keep a great player, but at the end of the day, we want Josh here for the long term," Beane said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

However, the executive hopes the team can agree on a pact that benefits Allen but also allows the franchise to continue adding around the passer.

"We want him to be happy, and obviously, we want it to be a deal where we can still put talented players around him because Josh is a competitor. He's not wired for us just to pay him, then not be able to put stuff around him. So we'll try and find that deal that works for him and works for us," Beane added.

Allen is coming off his best season as a pro, finishing second in MVP voting while setting new career-highs in passing yards (4,544), touchdown passes (37), completion percentage (69.2), and passer rating (107.2).

A contract extension would likely put the former seventh-overall pick among the league's highest-paid quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes is the NFL's highest earner, averaging $45 million per year, while Dak Prescott ($40 million per year) and Deshaun Watson ($39 million per year) trail closely.

Allen is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, but the Bills have the option to exercise a fifth-year option.