:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46379954/usa-today-8355033.0.jpg)
The Buffalo Bills have been quick to state all offseason that they are interested in re-signing fifth-year defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to a long-term contract extension before he becomes a free agent next spring. Now, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, we know a timeline for that ideal: training camp.
Even with his looming 1-game suspension, the #Bills hope to lock up star DT Marcell Dareus to a contract extension, hopefully prior to camp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 22, 2015
GM Doug Whaley, specifically, has said on numerous occasions that re-signing Dareus would be the team's top priority after the free agency and 2015 NFL Draft seasons came and went. That has obviously occurred; the team has other players that could be in line for contracts soon, too (Nigel Bradham chief among them), but the team has consistently maintained that keeping Dareus is of paramount importance.
Time will tell if they can meet that soft deadline. Dareus, meanwhile, is scheduled to make more than $8 million this season - and also miss the first game of the year due to a one-game suspension.