Why were the Bills so aggressive about making a big splash at the start of free agency and signing Mario Williams? Partially because 93-year-old owner Ralph Wilson says he doesn’t have time to be patient.
“I’d like to see us make the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl while I’m around,” Wilson told the Buffalo News. “I don’t expect to be around that many years.”
The Bills haven’t typically been huge spenders in free agency, but Williams’ six-year, $96 million contract is money that Wilson is more than happy to spend.
“I didn’t give a darn about the money,” Wilson said. “I can’t take the money with me. The money had nothing to do with it.”
Asked how he celebrated signing Williams, Wilson -- the NFL’s oldest owner -- said he didn’t.
“The same way I did yesterday,” Wilson said, “staying home and having dinner and playing cards with my wife.”
Wilson sounds as happy to pay Williams $96 million as Williams is to make it.
“It was a big win today,” Wilson said, “a big win for everybody.”