Stevie Johnson Agrees to 5-Year Deal with Buffalo Bills

Wide receiver Stevie Johnson has finally reached a deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. 

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What was close last night was finished today: Bills and wide receiver Stevie Johnson reached agreement on a five-year deal.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2012"

Johnson and the Bills have been negotiating all offseason, and there was never really any doubt that something would get done. His agent said last week that he was "optimistic" about the two sides working things out. 

What It Means?

For Johnson, he now has financial security and can focus on ways to improve on the field. He has been the team's best receiver for the last two years. He has caught 158 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns since the start of the 2010 season. 

The Bills continue to lock up their young talent as a way to build for the future. Johnson is just 25 years old and brings an added dimension to the offense that has helped quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick make small improvements. 

What Happens Next?

Johnson is not without his baggage. He tries to be a showman on the field, which leads to stupid penalties and got him benched against New England in Week 17. 

For him to live up to his full potential, Johnson has to catch passes without making everything a spectacle. 

The Bills can turn their attention to the upcoming free agency period and NFL draft. They have a lot of work to do, especially on defense, so this deal will give them the freedom they need to make improvements. 

With New England, New York and Miami getting better, the Bills need to have a good offseason, or they risk falling further behind everyone else in the AFC East. 

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