Now that the financial details have been reported, the contract structure regarding the new deal for safety Sam Franklin Jr. provides a clearer picture of how the Buffalo Bills approached this special-teams investment.
Franklin signed a three-year, $6.49 million contract that includes a $1.25 million signing bonus and $2.53 million fully guaranteed at signing, which consists of the signing bonus and his 2026 base salary. The deal also contains an injury guarantee of $1.67 million on his 2027 salary,
giving the Bills some protection while still offering Franklin additional security if he remains on the roster.
From a salary cap perspective, the contract is structured to keep Franklin’s cap hits very manageable throughout the deal, and, barring injury, his dead cap minimal if released.
Sam Franklin Jr. contract details
2026 Season
- Base Salary: $1,280,000
- Signing Bonus (Prorated Salary Cap Amount): $1,250,000 Cash ($416,667 allocated per season)
- Workout Bonus: $50,000
- 2026 Cap Hit: $1,746,666
- Dead Cap: $2,530,000
2027 Season
- Base Salary: $2,440,000
- Signing Bonus (Prorated Salary Cap Amount): $416,667 allocated per season
- Workout Bonus: $50,000
- Injury Guarantee: $1,670,000
- Cap Hit: $2,490,000
- Dead Cap: $833,334
2028 Season
- Base Salary: $2,190,000
- Signing Bonus (Prorated Salary Cap Amount): $416,667 allocated per season
- Workout Bonus: $50,000
- Cap Hit: $2,240,000
- Dead Cap: $416,667
The structure reflects Buffalo’s typical approach to contracts for players they value on special teams. The cap hit in 2026 is just north of the vet minimum, with positions Franklin an affordable contributor on the roster. If Franklin continues to be a reliable presence on special teams, this deal could prove to be a quiet value signing for the Bills.
