2012 NFL Free Agents: Stevie Johnson Inks 5-Year, $36.25 Million Deal with Bills

Stevie Johnson isn't leaving the Buffalo Bills any time soon.

The eccentric wide receiver signed a five-year, $36.25 million deal ($19.5 million guaranteed) with the team that drafted him in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. 

After seeing their club let a variety of quality players leave in free agency over the last decade of futility in Buffalo, Bills fans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief, seeing one of their own committing to stay in Western New York.

Johnson is the only wideout in team history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and has reeled in 17 touchdowns over the last two years in Chan Gailey's spread offense. 

In typical Johnson-form, the news was all but officially broke via Twitter with some added fun. 

The Bills receiver started everything this morning with this tweet that involved quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's haircut.  

Craziness.

Then, Buffalo's COO Russ Brandon kept the news going with this. 

Before the Bills officially announced the deal in their 10 AM press conference, Johnson tweeted a picture of himself signing on the dotted line. 

He sure keeps his followers informed.

In the moments leading up to the presser, Johnson sent out this twitpic. Looks like Fitzpatrick stood true to his word.

Johnson's will make $24 million in the first three years of the contract. 

This is the first time the Bills have locked up their core players in quite some time. Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Kyle Williams were extended during the 2011 season.

Running back Fred Jackson looks to be next in line for a long-term deal.

Now, attention will turn to the free agency period, when the Bills will look to add a complementary wide receiver with more of a down-field presence. 

If Johnson can stay focused on the field, he has the talent to become one of the better possession receivers in the NFL. 

The deal seems to be fair for each side, and, when looking at what other wide receivers make, the Bills got Johnson at a great price. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso