The Bills have already made one big change since the end of the season by bumping Dave Wannstedt up to defensive coordinator and general manager Buddy Nix outlined some of the other things the team has planned for the offseason.
Topping the list is re-signing impending free agent wide receiver Stevie Johnson. At a press conference Monday, Nix said that the team wants Johnson back and that they made proposals to him during the season toward that end. Talks have continued since the end of the season and the team expects them to continue. Nix wouldn’t say if the team would franchise Johnson in the event they couldn’t reach agreement on a long-term deal, but did say he’d like to see fewer moments where Johnson’s behavior on the field detracts from the team.
Running back Fred Jackson was also a topic of conversation. Jackson has been angling for a new contract and Nix expressed a willingness to get something done that keeps Jackson in Buffalo for the rest of his career. Since Jackson’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of next season, there’s no great urgency on the Bills’ end but Nix did say he’s open to getting a deal done before the start of next season.
Nix also said he’d like to re-sign tackle Demetrius Bell, kicker Rian Lindell and tight end Scott Chandler, which led to questions about how much money the team has to spend. Nix said that, outside of the cap, there are no limitations on that front. That’s good, because Nix also expressed an interest in improving the team’s wide receivers, offensive line, cornerbacks and pass rushing.