The Bills and Fred Jackson ended months of stalemate Wednesday by reaching a four-year deal.
Jackson was an exclusive rights free agent, which prohibited him from talking to other teams. Buffalo had offered him the minimum contract of $460,000, but Jackson seeked long-term stability with the Bills.
In only two seasons, Jackson has blossomed into one of the team's top playmakers. He has 871 rushing yards on 188 carries and 507 receiving yards on 59 receptions in his two-year career. Jackson has been featured as the No. 1 back sparingly, most recently in last year's finale against New England. Against the Patriots, in piercing winds, Jackson churned out more than 100 yards by halftime.
Buffalo signed Dominic Rhodes earlier in the offseason. With Marshawn Lynch suspended three games, the Bills aggressively sought a backup running back to fill in. Now, the offense will boast three dangerous weapons in the backfield. Lynch, Jackson and Rhodes have all started at various points in their career.
Jackson's journey to the NFL has been a long one. He attended Division II's Coe College and played a few years in the U.S. Indoor Football League before coming to Buffalo.
With Marshawn Lynch suspended for the first three games, Jackson could enter the year as Buffalo's starting running back.
"I'm excited about it and looking forward to the opportunity," Jackson told ESPN.com. "I'm heading into the season knowing that I'm going to be the guy that they're going to be leaning on."
Stay tuned to BuffaloFootballReport.com over the next couple days for Jackson's reaction and full analysis...