The Buffalo Bills and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have made significant progress toward a multiyear contract in the past two weeks, league sources said Thursday, and hope to have it resolved shortly.
Talks resumed in earnest following the Bills' Sept. 25 victory over the New England Patriots, and the sides have been exchanging proposals since.
The goal was to strike a deal during the bye week, but the Bills have closed their building through the weekend, essentially closing for business until next week, league sources said. So, talks will resume as soon as Monday, with a resolution possible soon thereafter.
Fitzpatrick's deal is expected to average about $10 million per season, but the sides still were trying to resolve issues such as guaranteed money (the Bills traditionally keep those figures relatively low). As long ago reported, Fitzpatrick has been Buffalo's priority, and the team has tabled contract talks with wide receiver Stevie Johnson and running back Fred Jackson until a deal is struck with the quarterback, who has flourished in second-year Bills coach Chan Gailey's offensive system.
Fitzpatrick, who has led the suddenly-explosive Bills to a surprising 4-2 start this season, is earning a base salary of $3.1 million in the final season of a three-year, $6.9 million contract. He has completed 134 of 202 passes for 1,477 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions this year, his third in Buffalo after two with the Cincinnati Bengals (2007-08) and two with the St. Louis Rams (2005-06).
