BUFFALO, NY (The Spread) – While both sides seem eager to get a long-term contact in place, talks between the Bills and receiver Steve Johnson remain “far apart” according to AP sources.
Johnson and the Bills exchanged offers last week, and the two sides are scheduled to meet at the NFL combine in Indianapolis this week. Johnson doesn’t expect that the team will use the franchise tag on him, even if talks don’t begin to pick up right away.
Johnson has led the Bills in receiving in each of the past two seasons and is eligible to become a free agent next month. Starting Monday, NFL teams can begin using a franchise tag to retain the rights of their prospective free agents.
View Latest 2013 Super Bowl Odds
The free agent pool for receivers is deep this year. Along with Johnson, Vincent Jackson of the Chargers, Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs, Marques Colston of the Saints and Wes Welker of the Patriots are all free agents. Mario Manningham, one of the heroes of the 2012 Super Bowl, is also a free agent and so is Robert Meachem of New Orleans.
Oddsmakers currently list the Bills as 100/1 long shots to win the 2013 Super Bowl after opening at 50/1. The Bills are also 45/1 to win the AFC Championship after opening at that same number.
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