Bills Might Trade Peters If Two Sides Can't Reach Agreement on New Deal

Last offseason, Bills left tackle Jason Peters held out for more dough, the team didn't budge, and he eventually reported to work the day before the season opener.

Not surprisingly, Peters had a tough go of it in 2008. And while the Panthers just rewarded Jordan Gross with a six-year, $60 million deal, Peters is still looking for his big payday. Buffalo is willing to negotiate, but as it stands, the two sides have different notions of fair-market value. And even though Peters has two years left on his existing contract, there's virtually no way he'll play another down in Buffalo without a new deal, at least from the perspective of March.

The NFL Draft is six weeks away. If the Bills are not closer to a deal as the draft approaches, they could opt to trade their most talented offensive lineman.

It's believed Peters wants to be the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Neither the Bills nor Peters' agent, Eugene Parker, are commenting on negotiations. However, a source familiar with talks said Peters' first offer was in excess of the $11.5 million-a-year deal signed by Miami's Jake Long, who was the first pick in the draft last year. Long's deal was for five years and $57.5 million.

The Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan adds that, according to sources, Peters and the Bills "may be more than $3 million-a-year apart."

Look, I'm all for NFL players milking their employers for all they can, but should Peters be the highest paid lineman in the league when a) he had a mediocre 2008 season, and b) Gross is, by most accounts, better? (Yes, I know, the highest-paid and best player at a particular position can be mutually exclusive, but that doesn't mean the Bills are obligated to make sure Peters is one of them.)

Something else for Buffalo to consider: while Peters may not be the best tackle, he's in the conversation. And with Trent Edwards entering his second season as starter, protecting him in the pocket -- especially his blindside -- seems like a priority. If you're the Bills, it's the responsible thing to do -- not only to protect their investment, but to protect their investment's mental health. Because I can only imagine that wrath that will befall Trent should the worst-case scenario become a reality.