Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mike Williams To Delay Contract Talks

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams (19) runs with the ball as he stiff arms St. Louis Rams strong safety Craig Dahl (43) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to discuss a new deal with Mike Williams and they want to keep him in Tampa Bay. They have however asked him to be patient as they sort out other business this offseason first.

“I met with Mark and it was a very productive meeting,” agent Hadley Engelhard said. “We are progressing toward a new contract for Mike, but they’ve asked us to be patient to let them get through free agency and the draft. We’ve agreed to be a little less aggressive and give them some time. The target date right now would be some time in May.”

Mike Williams apparently wants to stay in Tampa and loves it.

“Mike really likes Tampa, and they like Mike,” Engelhard said. “He’s definitely outplayed his fourth-round compensation, and they want him to be a part of the future.”

Mark Dominik is the Buccaneers general manager and made the comments at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Mike Williams is under contract through the 2013 season so there is no rush, as long as a deal is done before the season and it doesn’t lead to a hold out. Unlikely that it would of course.

“We’ll see,” he said. ‘Worst-case scenario, there’s only nine months left before he’d become a free agent.”

Mike Williams caught 63 balls for 996 yards, just shy of the 1,000 yard bench mark. He also made it into the end zone 9 times.