Steve Johnson to Command $7.5 Million?

WGR-550 reports that during negotiations Bills leading WR Steve Johnson was asking for $7.5 Million a year on a long term deal. These negotiations ended but are sure to start up again in the coming weeks with the Bills season coming to an end.

The Bills were quick to offer QB Ryan Fitzpatrick a multi-year deal worth over $10 Million a year mid-way through the season after contract talks dissolved with Johnson. Will the Bills be able to lock up another offensive starter before Johnson becomes a free agent on March 13th and is free to sign with any team?

The reported $7.5 Million a year deal is expected to be a four or five season contract that will keep one of the most prolific Bills in Buffalo for another 5 seasons.

Johnson led the Bills in 2010 with 1,073 yards and 10 TD's and is only 36 yards away from being the Bills first ever receiver with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. He can accomplish this feat this Sunday at New England.

I believe $7.5 Million/year deal is a fair asking price for a WR with most likely back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. He seems to be Fitzpatrick's "go to guy" and keeping him as a main part of the offense will help them move on from this season's collapse.

I think he is worth it and the Bills are well below the NFL's Salary Cap so they can afford to fit him in their budget for the 2012 season, but does Buddy Nix agree?

Johnson is only making around $500,000 this year and is due for a large raise, but is $7.5 Million too much to ask? That is the question the Bills need to answer.