Defensive tackle Tim Settle will now get the opportunity to thrive out of the shadows of Washington’s talented defensive line. Settle agreed a two-year dear deal with a $9 million base and max of $10.6 million with the Buffalo Bills, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Washington selected Settle in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the second defensive lineman Washington selected in that draft, picking Daron Payne in the first round. The team drafted Jonathan Allen in the first round a year prior and also had Matt Ioannidis.
Settle played behind the trio from the onset. He appeared in 63 games over four seasons. His best season was in 2020. That year he played 347 defensive snaps and registered five sacks in 16 games.
With Allen just receiving his extension before last season and Ioannidis and Payner still under contract, it was evident Settle would have to move on elsehwere if he wanted a larger role.
Settle will get that in Buffalo under defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. Settle will be in the mix in the middle of the Bills defensive line with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Jones also agreed to a two-year deal with Buffalo on Monday.
Settle can play both the 3 and 1 techniques. Thus he’ll be able to mix and match beside Oliver (3-technique DT) and Jones, whose a true 1T.
The Bills defense ranked No. 1 in yards and points allowed. But they allowed 109 rushing yards per game and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Also Buffalo would like to get more pressures on the quarterback from the middle. Last season, the Bills’ top two DTs combined for 26 pressures. In comparison, Payne had 27 pressures and was second to Allen’s 34 for Washington.
Settle should help Buffalo be stronger up the middle and provide more pressures. He’ll get more snaps and a chance to thrive in one of the strongest defensive schemes in the league.
