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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have secured at least one half of their starting safety tandem after signing Aaron Williams to a four-year, $26 million contract extension Wednesday. A person with knowledge of the contract said Williams is guaranteed $14.625 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released by the Bills. The extension locks up Williams through 2018, and comes at a time when the Bills risk losing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd, who is preparing to test free agency next week. "I told them I accept the role of leading this defence to where it used to be," Williams said. "Im just blessed that they gave me that opportunity, and they trusted me to be here long-term to get this team back to where it started." Williams, Buffalos second-round pick in the 2011 draft, was entering the final year of his contract. He was rewarded with the extension after successfully making the switch from cornerback to safety last season. In 14 games last year, Williams had a career-best 82 tackles and tied Byrd for the team lead with four interceptions. Overall, he has five interceptions and two forced fumbles in 34 career games. "Aaron is the type of young, core player we targeted early in the process to retain for years to come," general manager Doug Whaley said in a released statement. "We expect Aaron to continue to grow into a key contributor for the Bills organization." The question is whether Williams will continue to develop alongside Byrd. This week, the Bills decided against applying the franchise tag for a second consecutive year to retain Byrds rights, opening the door for the fifth-year player to test free agency on March 11. Williams is hoping the Bills can still reach a deal to re-sign Byrd, because the two established a solid on-field rapport last season. "If Jairus does come back, that would be the greatest thing ever, because our chemistry is unbelievable," Williams said. "If he doesnt come back, good luck to him. Were always going to be best friends. ... Well just have to move on and find another piece to try to replace his role." The Bills defence is undergoing another off-season change, with Jim Schwartz taking over as co-ordinator after Mike Pettine left to become the Cleveland Browns head coach. Schwartz has a similar aggressive defensive coaching philosophy, which is expected to ease the transition. "I feel real confident that nothing major is going to change," Williams said. "There might be a few things here and there, but I think team-wise, once we get all the pieces together we will be fine." The Bills also announced free-agent linebacker Jameel McClain had arrived in Buffalo to meet with team. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, McLain spent the past six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being released by the team last week. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey . "Youre next." Hardly. 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The 20-year-old Blaney wont be the only kid pushing a podium finish.BUFFALO (2-2) At DETROIT (3-1)Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE a€” Lions by 72014 RECORD VS. SPREAD a€” Buffalo 2-2; Detroit 3-1SERIES RECORD a€” Tied 4-4-1LAST MEETING a€” Bills beat Lions 14-12, Nov. 14, 2010LAST WEEK a€” Bills lost to Texans 23-17; Lions beat New York Jets 24-17AP PRO32 RANKING a€” Bills No. 24; Lions No. 7BILLS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (27), RUSH (13), PASS (31)BILLS Defence a€” OVERALL (10), RUSH (3), PASS (25)LIONS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (12), RUSH (25), PASS (7)LIONS Defence a€” OVERALL (1), RUSH (6), PASS (2)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES a€” Despite their proximity and lengthy histories, Lions and Bills are meeting for just 10th time. Thats fewest for Buffalo a€” and fewest for Detroit, not counting NFLs most recent expansion additions (Cleveland, Carolina, Houston and Jacksonville). ... Bills defensive co-ordinator Jim Schwartz went 29-51 in five seasons as Lions head coach before being fired at end of last season. ... Bills are switching QBs, with 10-year veteran Kyle Orton set to make Buffalo debut after second-year starter EJ Manuel was benched Monday. Orton is 4-0 against the Lions, dating to when he played for NFC North rival Chicago. ... Buffalos red-zone produuction is poor with five TDs, seven field goals and three no scores in 15 drives inside opponents 20 this season.dddddddddddd... Defence has sacks in 17 straight games, Buffalos best stretch since franchise-best 29-game streak from Oct. 27, 1996-Oct. 4, 1998. ... Bills have also not allowed 90 yards rushing this season after managing feat just three times last year. ... Lions RB Reggie Bush, who previously played for Buffalos AFC rival Miami, has five TDs in past four games against Bills. ... QB Matthew Stafford has 114 career TDs passing, five shy of beating Hall of Famer Bobby Laynes team record. ... With 28 1/2 career sacks, Ndamukong Suh is one short of breaking team record among DTs held by Shaun Rogers. ...S James Ihedigbo had five tackles, a sack and forced fumble in Lions debut last week after missing first three games with injury. ... WR Golden Tate is tied for first in NFL with 11 third-down catches. ... Both teams are wearing patches on jerseys in honour of their late owners. Lions Williams Clay Ford died on March 9. 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