PITTSFORD — The tattoos that run from the top of O’Cyrus Torrence’s massive left arm to his knuckles tell his life story.
There’s a depiction of his dogs, some of his favorite anime and even a picture of the old Highmark Stadium. Torrence had the bottom half of his arm tattooed last offseason and finished the job this year.
The plan from the start was to have a full sleeve, but what to put on his arm changed on the fly. All told, it took four sessions to complete his full-sleeve tattoo. A tattoo artist in Torrence’s home state of Louisiana travels around the state, charging on average over $400 per session as the price fluctuates due to time and complexity.
It’s safe to say Torrence is good for the money.
The 26-year-old 330-pound right guard agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills Friday on a four-year, $78.4 million extension that includes $46 million guaranteed. The deal will make Torrence the NFL’s eighth highest paid guard.
“It doesn’t feel as big because I’m still taking it all in because it’s a lot,” Torrence said after practice. “I’ve played every snap since I’ve been here. I feel like I put together a pretty good resume and me signing this contract just shows it.”
Since being selected 59th overall in 2023, Torrence has started 50 of 51 games, only missing the 2024 regular-season finale as the starters rested. Torrence played every snap of his rookie campaign and played all but three of Buffalo’s 3,309 offensive plays last year. In total, Torrence has played 97.7% of the snaps since entering the league.
The Bills have invested heavily in their offensive line the past three seasons. Since March 2024, the Bills have given four extensions — to tackles Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins, center Connor McGovern and Torrence — totaling nearly $263 million and $135 million in guarantees.
“That has to be a unit and it has to be a glove,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “If they’re working like a fist all together they’re going to be a lot better than if they’re doing their own thing. … There’s going to be turnover, but we try to keep a stable group and I think that’s helped our offense be as successful as it has.”
Since 2023, the Bills have rushed for 2,909 yards and 22 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per attempt going right. They have run for 4.7 yards and eight touchdowns over right guard. In pass protection, Torrence has surrendered just six sacks on 1,917 drop-backs.
“There was no hesitation when we drafted him putting him in the lineup,” Bills head coach Joe Brady said. “… He’s one of the top guards in football. Last year he battled through so much and was out there with every injury and didn’t blink. He’s as tough as it gets. … We have Josh Allen, and first and foremost, we have to keep him protected and keep him clean.”
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The Bills left St. John Fisher University Friday in much better shape than they did a year ago.
Only three players — wide receiver Mac Dalena and cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston and D.J. Miller — missed practice Friday with an injury, not including wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, who is on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL in the playoffs — Punter Mitch Wishnowsky was not seen at practice for undisclosed reasons.
When the Bills broke camp last year, 12 players missed the final practice with an injury, with seven of them having missed at least five consecutive practices. Only five players missed at least one practice due to injury or illness this year, compared to 26 last year.
The Bills have shown a greater willingness to limit players who are nursing injuries rather than removing them from practice altogether. They have also substituted liberally during 11-on-11 sessions to limit snaps for veterans and have done more walk-through periods than previously.
“Everyone wants to put their spin on it,” Beane said. “If Jim Leonhard took over as head coach tomorrow, he would probably put his own little spin on it. It doesn’t mean he’s going to throw out everything. Everyone’s got their own way of doing things and how they run organizations. … I don’t think there’s anything that stands out to me of a difference in a level of competitiveness and physicality.”