BY DAN BEGNOCHE
As the Bills’ season wraps up this weekend in Foxborough, fans may get their last look at the most successful passing duo in Buffalo since Jim Kelly and Andre Reed.
While Ryan Fitzpatrick, recent recipient of a 6-year, $59 million contract extension, won’t be packing his bags anytime soon, No. 1 wide receiver Stevie Johnson may be forced to pack his. The fourth-year Kentucky alum has been trying to work out an extension with the front office to no avail all season, as his four-year contract is quickly coming to a close. But the 25-year-old is optimistic; he told reporters Wednesday he thinks he’ll be back next season as a Bill.
“I just feel like being here four years and with the coaches that I have here and with the players, with Fitz signing his deal you would think you would like to have the one-two punch,” Johnson said, per the team's media site. “When Fitz came on, I came on so you would think they’ll keep us together.”
Fitzpatrick expressed his desire to keep Johnson around Wednesday as well, and for good reason. Fitz and Johnson are a mere 36 yards away from accomplishing what no passing duo has ever done in Buffalo: back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons.
“I know it’s a business. I have thought about it,” Fitzpatrick told reporters of the situation Wednesday. “He’s a guy I really have appreciated and I know that he knows that. I hope that he’s back. You never know what’s going to happen but I’m always in his corner.”
The two have combined for 16 touchdowns the past two seasons, and Johnson has proved to be a proficient top-tier receiver despite lacking a consistent supporting cast around him. But with the rise of tight end Scott Chandler and slot receiver David Nelson, the Bills may have a group to build off of for the future.
"I don’t think I’ll be somewhere else next year," Johnson said. "I’m still pretty sure that I’ll be here next year. But if not it’s a pretty crazy feeling."
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