QB Allen and Buffalo agree on 6year, $258 million pact

Bills quarterback Josh Allen overcame questions about his accuracy and smallschool pedigree to become the NFL’s secondhighest paid player.

Allen on Friday signed a sixyear, $258 million extension through 2028, a deal that includes an NFLrecord $150 million in guaranteed money.

The total value and annual average of the deal ranks second in the NFL behind Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10year, $450 million contract last year.

“It’s surreal to be in this spot right now,” Allen said. “I’m just thankful that we could get it done and now we can focus on going out there and earning it, and making sure they understand that I know they didn’t pay me for what I’ve done. They did this because they expect me to continue what I’m doing, and expect me to go win this team some championships.”

The contract was signed a few days after general manager Brandon Beane said he wanted to get a deal done with the quarterback before the season or put talks off until next year so not to serve as a distraction.

Allen was under contract through 2022 after the Bills in May picked up his fifthyear option, worth nearly $23 million.

Howard update: Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said the team has no intention of trading Xavien Howard despite the AllPro cornerback’s desire to play elsewhere.

“We don’t want to trade X,” Flores said. “Write that down.”

The twotime Pro Bowl selection is unhappy about his contract. Talks with Howard and his agent are ongoing.

“As long as the lines of communication are open, as long as everyone is willing to compromise, then we can get something done,” Flores said.

Howard requested a trade via Instagram on July 27, the day the Dolphins reported for training camp. In May 2019, he signed a fiveyear extension through 2024.

Briefly: A day after Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins returned from a fiveday quarantine and refused to discuss his vaccination status, his hometown hospital in Holland, Mich., released a statement saying Cousins will no longer be a spokesperson “for now.” Cousins was isolated, per NFL protocols, because he was an unvaccinated close contact to quarterback Kellen Mond, who tested positive for COVID19 last weekend . ... Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was activated from reserve/COVID19 list . ... Giants offensive lineman Zack Fulton became the team’s fourth player to announce his retirement since training camp began July 27.