Soon-to-be-free-agent wide receiver Stevie Johnson told the Buffalo News Wednesday that he would prefer to stay with the Buffalo Bills.
"Of course I'm hoping Buffalo will step up," Johnson said. "But if not and I hit the market in free agency, then Buffalo is in the picture no matter what. But to be in free agency to see what other teams are saying, that's also good."
Johnson's agent, C.J. Laboy, did not tell the newspaper if talks have begun with the Bills but did say that the city is important to Johnson.
"We all know where Stevie's heart is and that's a big reason why he's ingrained himself in the Buffalo community as much as he has," Laboy said.
Johnson was drafted by the Bills in 2008 and broke out in 2010 with 82 catches for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. He continued to play well this season, hauling in 76 passes for 1,004 yards and seven scores. He also found himself in some hot water, when he was benched for drawing an excessive-celebration penalty in the Bills' season finale.