Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills utilize both 4YQC benefits for this upcoming season
The Buffalo Bills re-signed fullback and special teams standout Reggie Gilliam to a one-year, $2 million contract. At 27 years old, Gilliam is entering his sixth season, all with the Bills.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Gilliam has played an integral role on the Bills’ special team’s unit as well as a fullback on offense; Gilliam also provides additional depth at tight end when needed.
Gilliam’s contract utilizes the Four-Year Qualifying Contract (4YQC) benefit, discussed last week in outlining the ways the Bills’ leveraged the use of veteran contract benefits in 2025. It’s a mechanism that allows teams to offer veteran players with four or more accrued seasons with the same team a qualifying contract that provides salary cap relief.
Under this structure, Gilliam’s $2 million salary is fully guaranteed, which includes a base salary of $1,832,500 and a signing bonus of $167,500. Due to the 4YQC benefit, his cap hit for the 2025 season is reduced to $1,337,500, which includes the veteran minimum base salary of $1,170,000 and the signing bonus.
The Bills have also applied the 4YQC benefit to safety Damar Hamlin’s contract. Hamlin, who re-signed with the team on a one-year, $2 million fully guaranteed deal, has a contract structure the same as Gilliam’s.
The NFL allows teams to use the 4YQC benefit for up to two players, providing a combined cap relief of $1.55 million. By structuring both Gilliam’s and Hamlin’s contracts this way, the Bills maximize their salary cap space while retaining veteran players.
