Bleacher Report Singled Out DE Greg Rousseau for His Underwhelming Start
The Buffalo Bills locked up star pass-rusher Gregory Rousseau to a four-year, $80 million contract back in March with the hopes that he would improve on the two eight-sack seasons he’s had in the last three years.
“[The contract is] just a blessing from God, and couldn’t be any happier just to be back here in Buffalo,” Rousseau said back in March. “It’s been a special place ever since they picked me in 2021. (General manager Brandon) Beane, the trust that he’s put in me, and also to trust me with this second contract and reward me with this — it just means world to me.
“I’m just ready to go out there and just keep on putting it all on the line for my teammates, try to win as many as possible, be the best player I can be and get to that next level.”
Through six games, Rousseau is second on the Bills in pressures (16) and hurries (12), according to Pro Football Focus, but he’s tied for fifth on the team in sacks (1.5). And of the five Bills players to log 75 or more pass-rush snaps this season, Rousseau has the fourth-lowest pass-rush win-rate (11.4%).
Defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver, edge-rusher Joey Bosa, and safety Cole Bishop all have more sacks than Rousseau, who also has fewer tackles for loss (two) than Deone Walker (seven), Oliver (five), cornerback Tre’Davious White (four), and linebackers Terrel Bernard (three) and Shaq Thompson (three).
Because of his slow start, Rousseau was given a not-so-welcome distinction from Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report: Buffalo’s most-disappointing player so far this season.
“The highest-paid defensive player on the roster has just 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits in six games,” Gagnon wrote. “He beats out Matt Milano, who simply can't stay healthy. Bills fans should be used to that by now.”
In his previous four seasons, Rousseau showed great promise as young, emerging pass-rusher.
He’s logged 50 or more pressures and 37 or more hurries in each of his last three seasons. Last season was his breakout year, logging a career-best 70 pressures, 42 hurries, and 17 QB hits, per PFF.