Fitz close to contract extension

Chris Mortenson of ESPN said the following on ESPN32 today:

"You always like to hear something happen for the good guys, the guys who have never had a big paycheck. Right now Ryan Fitzpatrick is on his bye week, I think when he comes back next week he will see tremendous progress between the Bills on a contract, and that contract won't pay him what those elite quarterbacks make, but there's a 2nd tier of QBs averaging between 9 and 12 million dollars per year, and if they can nail down a last few things I think Ryan Fitzpatrick signs a new contract next week and gets that deal somewhere between 9 and 12 million per year." (Thanks to Carey Bender, who posted this on TwoBillsDrive)

MY TAKE: If Kyle Orton can make 9 million a year, I'm totally fine with Fitzpatrick making 10 to 11 million a year even if it sounds like a scary number. Starting Quarterbacks make a lot of money - there's no way around it (unless you keep drafting guys that keep failing). Some will point to the Dick Jauron contract extension and cite it as an example of why you should wait to sign the guy later in the year. This is a much different scenario. Fitzpatrick really hasn't had an awful game yet. Even though I thought he was the reason we lost that Giants game, he only threw 2 really bad balls. I've also noticed that he's cooled off a bit since his first 3 starts but to expect that production every single game is a bit ridiculous.

The other important thing to note is how much of a bonus he gets up front because that'll be the only guaranteed money he gets. If he suddenly falls flat on his face next year, the Bills could cut him and only lose out on the bonus (which will probably be substantial). That's worst case scenario thinking.

I noted that the offense hasn't been the same since week 3 but we've also sustained some injuries to key positions (LT, WR). When the offense was close to completely healthy, Fitz was unstoppable. I really look forward to seeing how the offense performs against the Redskins. The bye week should give this team some much needed rest and the coaching staff some extra time to prep. I trust that Gailey will find some holes to expose against the 'Skins.

I'd like the Bills to get going on the Stevie Johnson contract talks. It would be really nice to see Fitz, Stevie and Fred Jackson back next year (Jackson still has 1 year left on his current deal so regardless of what happens, he'll be here next year). Fitz and Stevie have a really good thing going and I'm seeing the emergence of Stevie as a true #1 receiver. His routes just keep getting better and better. Lock him up - establish the core of the offense for many years to come. Then you can focus on what you're going to do with Fred Jackson (just pay the man!) and guys like Demetrius Bell.