Bills Might Trade Peters If Two Sides Can't Reach Agreement on New Deal

Last offseason, Bills left tackle Jason Peters held out for more dough, the team didn't budge, and he eventually reported to work the day before the season opener.

Not surprisingly, Peters had a tough go of it in 2008. And while the Panthers just rewarded Jordan Gross with a six-year, $60 million deal, Peters is still looking for his big payday. Buffalo is willing to negotiate, but as it stands, the two sides have different notions of fair-market value. And even though Peters has two years left on his existing contract, there's virtually no way he'll play another down in Buffalo without a new deal, at least from the perspective of March.

The NFL Draft is six weeks away. If the Bills are not closer to a deal as the draft approaches, they could opt to trade their most talented offensive lineman.

It's believed Peters wants to be the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Neither the Bills nor Peters' agent, Eugene Parker, are commenting on negotiations. However, a source familiar with talks said Peters' first offer was in excess of the $11.5 million-a-year deal signed by Miami's Jake Long, who was the first pick in the draft last year. Long's deal was for five years and $57.5 million.

The Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan adds that, according to sources, Peters and the Bills "may be more than $3 million-a-year apart."

Look, I'm all for NFL players milking their employers for all they can, but should Peters be the highest paid lineman in the league when a) he had a mediocre 2008 season, and b) Gross is, by most accounts, better? (Yes, I know, the highest-paid and best player at a particular position can be mutually exclusive, but that doesn't mean the Bills are obligated to make sure Peters is one of them.)

Something else for Buffalo to consider: while Peters may not be the best tackle, he's in the conversation. And with Trent Edwards entering his second season as starter, protecting him in the pocket -- especially his blindside -- seems like a priority. If you're the Bills, it's the responsible thing to do -- not only to protect their investment, but to protect their investment's mental health. Because I can only imagine that wrath that will befall Trent should the worst-case scenario become a reality.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-13-2009 @ 9:51PM

Bob said...

Why do they even bother with contracts in the NFL? This is getting to be more prevalent every year--some player agrees to do his job for a specific amount of money for a specific number of years, signs his name to the deal, and a year later he gets convinced that he's "underappreciated, underpaid, disrespected, being taken advantage of, etc., etc.", and decides the remaining years of his signed agreement mean absolutely nothing. Try that in a regular union--you'll get laughed out of the room. That's why they put expiration dates on contracts--when that date approaches, then start negotiating your new contract.

Oh, and forget the argument against the team canceling the contract if the player isn't performing--they're the employer, and have the right to fire their personnel. The player is obligated to fulfill his duties as best he can for the length of his contract.

3-14-2009 @ 3:21AM

twillson15 said...

peters gave up the most sacks in the nfl last year!!!! im not saying he doesn't deserve to be the paid a a pro-bowl LT because he is one but how do you give up that many sacks and then demand to be paid more than gross and joe thomas. thats just ridiculous. if i were the bills i would offer him a 5 year 45 million dollar contract and if he still says no tell him to ride the pine or accept it because hes still under contract for 2 years with a contract they already overpaid for when he was nothing but a project and to prove a point were not gonna release or trade you. just go home and watch the bills throwing bombs to lee evans and t.o. all season because teams aren't gonna be able to blitz nearly as much this year when you have two number one wide receivers on the outside. one slot receiver in parrish who may be the fastest guy in the league and a bull running the ball in lynch. LT is not the biggest need right now of the bills and theres plenty of guys who are coming out of college or very good cheaper veterans who could hold the spot down until peters realizes hes not as good as he thinks he and either accepts it or sits home for the next 2 years and come back and make not even half that much money because hes been out of work for 2 years where he would be lucky to get a contract at all. teams need to stop giving in to all these players contract demands or its gonna keep getting worse like it already has been. also does anybody find it funny that one year removed from having one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of the game that peters goes from great to mediocre. mcnally turned him into a monster and mcnally retires and peters gives up the most sacks in the league. irony? myself, i dont think so.