It's been two weeks now since reports first surfaced that the Buffalo Bills were planning on beginning negotiations for a lucrative and lengthy contract extension with top wide receiver Stevie Johnson. At the time, the Bills were still working on wrapping up a six-year, $39 million deal for defensive tackle Kyle Williams.
NFL.com's Jason La Canfora on Wednesday provided an update on what has taken place between the Bills and Johnson since Williams' deal was signed: the two sides have exchanged proposals, but La Canfora reports that the parties are "nowhere near" a deal.
Johnson, a 25-year-old fourth-year pro, is entering his first season as Buffalo's unquestioned go-to target. He also happens to be entering the final year of his rookie contract (signed in 2008), and after putting up Pro Bowl caliber numbers in 2010 (82 catches, 1,073 yards, 10 touchdowns), he'll obviously be seeking a considerable raise over his seventh-round draft pick salary.
Negotiations won't necessarily stop with the regular season on the horizon, as the Bills have a long history of signing players mid-season. (It most recently happened with Chris Kelsay, for instance.) The team is also reportedly talking contract with wide receiver Roscoe Parrish.