Bills Expect WR Stevie Johnson To Be Back With Them Next Season

Bills HC Doug Marrone mentioned during his press conference that he has reached out to WR Stevie Johnson and informed that he will be a part of their offense moving forward.

“We had a great conversation,” Marrone said, via the Buffalo News. “I told Stevie, ‘Hey, listen. I’m excited about getting started with you. I’m excited about you coming in and getting healthy and get this team going.”

There has been talk that the Bills could release Johnson rather than pay his $1.75 roster bonus due this March.

Johnson, 27, will be entering the third season of his five-year, $36.25 million contract and will make $3.65 million for the 2014 season.

It’s worth noting that the Bills wouldn’t see any actual saving in regards to their cap situation until 2015 and 2016 if they were to release him outright. However, they could designate him as a post June-1 release, which would free up $5.675 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

Johnson played in 12 games for the Bills this season where he caught 52 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus gave Johnson a positive rating in 2013, but it was still only good enough for No. 54 overall among qualifying receivers.