BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Bills are prepared to let starters Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams become free agents next week unless they lower their contract demands.
"We'd like to get both back if we can, but it may not be cost effective," Bills president Tom Donahoe said at the NFL combine in Indianapolis Thursday.
Donahoe went further in an interview with Buffalo's WIVB-TV later in the day, saying: "I think both those players right now are of the opinion that they can get more on the open market than we would be willing to pay them. And they're certainly entitled to explore that."
Jennings, a left tackle and former second-round draft pick, has been a four-year starter. Williams, an eight-year veteran, is a run-stuffing defensive tackle, who has started 48 consecutive games.
Both completed the final years of their contracts last season and are eligible to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday.
Williams, who helped Buffalo's defense finish second in fewest yards allowed in the NFL last season, is seeking a deal worth about $5 million a year.
Jennings is expected to seek a deal in the range of the reported $36 million, seven-year contract Indianapolis right tackle Ryan Diem signed this week.
Jennings' agent Todd France said he hasn't had any contract talks with the Bills and hasn't yet seen Donahoe while attending the combine.
"I'm sure I'll see him, but no, I don't anticipate anything," France said.
Williams' agent Angelo Wright did not return a phone message left with him Thursday, but has previously said he's prepared to have his client explore free agency.
The Bills will only be modestly strapped by the NFL salary cap, projected by several publications to be about $8 million once the new cap comes into effect next week.
The team saved about $2.2 million in cap room when it released quarterback Drew Bledsoe this week and another $3.5 million when it restructured receiver Eric Moulds' contract earlier this month.
Associated Press.
"We'd like to get both back if we can, but it may not be cost effective," Bills president Tom Donahoe said at the NFL combine in Indianapolis Thursday.
Donahoe went further in an interview with Buffalo's WIVB-TV later in the day, saying: "I think both those players right now are of the opinion that they can get more on the open market than we would be willing to pay them. And they're certainly entitled to explore that."
Jennings, a left tackle and former second-round draft pick, has been a four-year starter. Williams, an eight-year veteran, is a run-stuffing defensive tackle, who has started 48 consecutive games.
Both completed the final years of their contracts last season and are eligible to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday.
Williams, who helped Buffalo's defense finish second in fewest yards allowed in the NFL last season, is seeking a deal worth about $5 million a year.
Jennings is expected to seek a deal in the range of the reported $36 million, seven-year contract Indianapolis right tackle Ryan Diem signed this week.
Jennings' agent Todd France said he hasn't had any contract talks with the Bills and hasn't yet seen Donahoe while attending the combine.
"I'm sure I'll see him, but no, I don't anticipate anything," France said.
Williams' agent Angelo Wright did not return a phone message left with him Thursday, but has previously said he's prepared to have his client explore free agency.
The Bills will only be modestly strapped by the NFL salary cap, projected by several publications to be about $8 million once the new cap comes into effect next week.
The team saved about $2.2 million in cap room when it released quarterback Drew Bledsoe this week and another $3.5 million when it restructured receiver Eric Moulds' contract earlier this month.
Associated Press.
