Stevie Johnson wants to be a Bill, period.
That's what the team's top receiver told reporters Wednesday as questions of a contract extension arose. The Bills' seventh-round pick in 2008 is in the last year of his four-year rookie contract, and after notable deals featuring Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, tackle Eric Pears and nose tackle Kyle Williams, Johnson may be next on the front office's checklist.
The Bills also have to sort out their Fred Jackson situation, though Jackson is under contract through next season.
“We know it's a business,” Johnson told the media Wednesday. “We'll see what they do. They have plans upstairs to maybe make moves and then bring me back later on so we'll just see how that plays out.”
The 6-foot-2 Kentucky alum pulled in over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season. He is on pace to hit those marks again this year, with nearly 800 yards and six scores already with three games to play.
Johnson has proven he can take on the top-tier corners in the league, putting up solid numbers last week against Quentin Jammer and the Chargers and eight receptions and a touchdown against Darrelle Revis and the Jets in Week 12.
Johnson said he would rather not have to test the free-agent market, adding that he will be patient in terms of waiting to hear from the Bills about an extension.
“If there's nothing going on here then we'll have to see what happens after that," he said. "I don't really want to (test the free-agent market). We already tried all of that months ago … We're just going to ride it out and see what happens the rest of the season.”
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