If the Buffalo Bills are going to trade CJ Spiller, they are going to have to work hard at it. After opting not to negotiate a contract extension with the running back, rumors surfaced that the Bills were looking to trade him sooner rather than later. Offseason moves acquiring Bryce Brown and extending Fred Jackson made these ideas a little more feasible. However, with a large salary still attached to his name, there is little to no interest surrounding a deal for Spiller.
According to Mike Rodak, Buffalo Bill reporter for ESPN, the Bills have not been contacted by any team regarding a deal for Spiller.
"We have not been contacted by any team about C.J. Spiller," Whaley said, per the team's official website. "These rumors are news to me. It's exciting, I guess, to you guys because it gives you something to fill the newspaper with. Again, no one, I'll tell you guys and you know I'm a straight shooter. We have not been contacted by any teams. I can probably see where people see our depth at running back and try to connect the dots with teams that don't have depth, but, again, nobody has contacted us."
There has been plenty of smoke regarding Spiller's status with the Buffalo Bills. The team attempted to negotiate a contract extension with the running back, but things never really picked up speed. Now, Spiller has the option to walk away at the end of the season and head somewhere else. He remains one of the best offensive performers for the team and the league in general and the Bills risk losing him for nothing in return.
This offseason, the team traded for Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles, a running back that is ready to be a starter for the team. He has impressed early. Brown adds to the rotation that includes Spiller, veteran Jackson and young rusher Anthony Dixon. Without Spiller, that running back group looks impressive. Browns, Dixon and Jackson are all guaranteed to return, so why not attempt a deal now?
The only teams that would remotely consider making a trade for Spiller are title contenders that have lost someone to injury. The Atlanta Falcons had their name come up after Steven Jackson went down with a hamstring issue. The Dallas Cowboys came up as DeMarco Murray continues to hear doubts about his talent. The Oakland Raiders were an option if Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew fail to return as strong runners.
Spiller will remain the starter for the Bills. Brown could work in tandem with him, giving his legs a break considering the running back has seen some injury time. Jackson will get his share of carries, but cannot handle the work load he once had. Spiller notes that he has heard the trade rumors, but is simply concerned about getting better and proving critics wrong.
''Oh yeah, it's definitely a fire burning. I haven't forgotten what was written out there,'' Spiller said, via The Associated Press. ''I've got my axe ready to chip away some wood.''
