Bills Second-Round Pick Agrees to Surprisingly Low Contract

Buffalo, NY – June 30, 2025: The Buffalo Bills have secured a pivotal piece of their 2025 draft class, signing their second-round pick to a surprisingly low contract after months of tense negotiations, sources told ESPN. With training camp nearing, the deal marks a dramatic shift for a player once poised to hold out, fueling Bills Mafia’s Super Bowl hopes.

The rookie defensive tackle, selected 41st overall, had previously threatened to skip the 2025 season and re-enter the 2026 NFL Draft, seeking a richer deal. His decision to sign reflects a newfound focus on championship glory over financial gain, per The Athletic.

T.J. Sanders, the South Carolina standout, spoke candidly on WGR 550’s The Instigators. “I once thought I’d wait for a bigger contract, maybe even re-enter the draft,” he said. “But something changed—I realized I’d rather chase a ring than chase numbers. That’s why I signed. I want that first Super Bowl for Buffalo.”

Sanders, 21, signed a four-year, $10.64 million contract with only $5.5 million guaranteed, per Spotrac, notably lower than the fully guaranteed deals secured by second-round picks like Cleveland’s Carson Schwesinger, per Web ID: 3, 23. His 2024 college stats—4.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, 50 tackles—earned him second-team All-SEC honors, per Web ID: 5.

“Sanders is a steal,” GM Brandon Beane said, per Buffalo Rumblings. The 6-foot-4, 297-pound tackle, who ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash, brings explosive pass-rush ability, pairing with Ed Oliver to bolster Buffalo’s 15th-ranked pass defense (218.6 yards/game), per NFL.com. His versatility fits both 3-tech and 1-tech roles, per Web ID: 14.

Sanders’ holdout stemmed from a league-wide second-round contract logjam, with 30 picks unsigned by June 23 due to disputes over guaranteed money, per Web ID: 0. His threat to re-enter the 2026 draft echoed Bo Jackson’s 1986 gambit, but his signing reflects Buffalo’s championship allure, per Democrat and Chronicle.

Bills Mafia erupted on X, with @BillsMafiaFan posting, “Sanders chose rings over riches—true Bill!” His addition, alongside Jalen Ramsey and Justin Simmons, strengthens a defense eyeing Kansas City, per Sporting News. Josh Allen’s 4,306-yard MVP season and James Cook’s 1,086-yard rushing set the stage.

As the Bills prepare for their September 4 opener against Miami, Sanders’ low-cost deal could prove a masterstroke. Can he help deliver Buffalo’s first Super Bowl? Stay tuned to ESPN for updates!