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Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Dixon signed a three-year contract worth $3.5 million, with a $750,000 signing bonus, according to Spotrac.com.
Most Bills fans are aware of the fact that both Fred Jackson (33 years old) and C.J. Spiller (who has an opt-out clause after this season) are, essentially, both entering contract years; it's conceivable that each will be on the open market this time next year. Dixon's three-year deal keeps him under contract longer than any Bills running back on the roster. If the Bills lose one or both of their top running backs in free agency next season, Dixon will be around to pick up some of the workload.
Jackson, who signed a three-year contract extension prior to the 2012 season, will make $3.95 million this season if he plays in all 16 games like he did a year ago. Spiller, 26, earned incentives that boost his 2014 salary to just under $3.5 million.
In 2014, Dixon's role will likely be limited to that of a core special teams player and a short-yardage back. The Bills should still give Jackson and (especially) Spiller as much as they can handle, and Spiller in particular needs to be more involved in the offense heading into the new year.