The Buffalo Bills enter 2013 with a lot of questions on offense. But they won't have to worry about their starting center for a long time.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Eric Wood reached a deal on a contract extension, according to a person informed of it. The team later announced that Wood had signed the extension.
Rapoport: Buffalo's front-line issue
Ian Rapoport says a well-compensated D-line must lead the Bills in 2013. Plus, notes on the QB race and Jairus Byrd. **More ...**
The contract is a four-year extension worth $25.4 million with a $9 million signing bonus, Rapoport reported Saturday, via someone who has seen the contract. Wood is due $27.7 million over the next five seasons, including $2.3 million due in 2013.
Wood, one of the league's most consistent centers since being Buffalo's first-round draft pick in 2009, also would receive $650,000 in escalation for 85 percent playing time. That means if he's healthy, his extension will be worth $7 million per year.
It's a big moment for Wood considering he's less than two years removed from tearing his ACL. He wasn't quite as effective in 2012 coming back from the injury, but the Bills believe he'll be better moving forward.
The offensive line has been up and down in recent years for Buffalo, but the Bills have two great building blocks in left tackle Cordy Glenn and Wood. Throw in a lot of fast, young talent at the skill positions, and the organization is surrounding rookie quarterback EJ Manuel with a lot of help.
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
