
When the Bills claimed Shawn Merriman off waivers this season, it was assumed the oft-injured former Chargers linebacker would simply treat his stay in Buffalo as a half-year audition for the rest of the NFL. When Merriman once again failed to even get on the field due to injury (this time a calf), it was assumed the Bills would treat their temporary investment in him as a sunk cost.
Not so. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Merriman and the Bills have agreed on a two-year contract. Bills GM Buddy Nix has confirmed the news but the terms of the deal are not yet known.
Even with the late-season emergence of Arthur Moats, the Bills, who installed a 3-4 scheme this past year, need serious help at outside linebacker. Merriman was once arguably the most feared pass-rusher in the NFL, but he has played in just 18 games and recorded five sacks over the past three years.
UPDATE 8:41 p.m. ET: Mortensen reports that Merriman will make $10.5 million over his two-year deal, with playing time and performance incentives in place that could boost his annual earnings to more than $8 million. Just $2.5 million of Merriman's contract in 2011 is guaranteed (no word on if that guarantee is a roster bonus, base salary, etc.)
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