Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is one of the best in the biz at what he does. The fifth-year pro notched 10.0 sacks (as a 330 pounder) and was arguably the best player on Buffalo's No. 4 ranked defense last season. At just 25-years-old, he is a long-term building block for the future. That future just may not be the Bills necessarily.
Dareus is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and rumors have been swirling that he and the Bills are at a heated standstill in negotiations. Those rumors turned into facts after Buffalo's preseason win over the Denver Broncos last night when Dareus confirmed the he and the organization are not on the same page.
"They're making it hard," Dareus told Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. "And it's just really making me unhappy. I feel like they don't want me here...I feel like they don't want me here as bad as I want to be here, as bad as the fans and my team wants me here. I feel like they're saying, 'Whatever. You come a dime a dozen.'"
It's doubtful the Bills are actively trying to convey that message to Dareus, as he is one of the preeminent DTs in the NFL. According to Dunne, Buffalo has offered Dareus a six-year extension worth north of $90 million, though it's unknown how much of that money would be guaranteed. A deal such as that would average out to $15-plus million a year, a higher annual total than Gerald McCoy ($15.86 million), but lower than J.J. Watt ($16.66 million) and Ndamukong Suh ($19.06 million).
Dareus appears to be shooting for a deal in the vicinity of the latter's. When asked if he had a specific number in mind, the two-time Pro Bowler responded, "I'll just say, 'Thank you, Suh.'"
As Dunne notes in his article, the Bills have already committed significant money to several players (LeSean McCoy, Charles Clay, Jerry Hughes, etc.) this offseason. The team also has looming potential extensions for cornerback Stephon Gilmore, tackle Cordy Glenn and outside linebacker Nigel Bradham to think about. However, Dareus' talent outshines them all and, for the time being, he isn't interested in giving a hometown discount.
"They're playing," Dareus said. "It's a contract game. They're playing. They're going back and forth. I play one game, they play this game. There's not much I can really say. I know what I'm a worth."
If Buffalo plays too much hardball, it may end up losing Dareus in free agency or, best case scenario, paying a massive cap hit via the franchise tag in 2016.
