Earlier this week, PFT reported that the Bills are frustrated by the way contract negotiations are going with left guard Richie Incognito on a deal that would keep Incognito from hitting the open market after a strong return to the NFL in Buffalo last year.
The specific frustration comes from an inability to hit on a number that the Bills feel is right for a player they gave a second chance last season, although that would seem to be an assumed risk involved with signing a player for one year. During an appearance on WGR 550 Thursday, Bills General Manager Doug Whaley didn’t discuss particulars about talks with Incognito but said the team wants to “make sure the value is right for the longevity that you’ll get out of the player.”
“We’re working diligently to do that,” Whaley said, via Syracuse.com. “The negotiation process is one that can never be clear cut and defined with a certain time table. We do have an ending date coming soon with him being able to hit the market, but [Bills senior vice president of football operations] Jim Overdorf and [Incognito’s agent] David Dunn have had continuous conversations for a while now so we’re hoping something positive comes from that.”
The Bills’ window of exclusivity slams shut on Monday when Incognito’s camp can begin conversations with other teams. That could be a positive for the Bills if the market isn’t as strong as Incognito might like, but getting something done before that date would be the easiest route to keeping one of their best players from 2015 in the fold.
