Raiders Reportedly Ask Bills to Trade the Rights to Kelly

Are the Raiders making a play for Jim Kelly?

The Houston Post, quoting an unnamed source close to the Kelly-Buffalo Bills negotiations, said Saturday that the Raiders offered $2.5 million and two draft choices for the ex-U.S. Football League quarterback.

Raider executive assistant Al LoCasale, while pointing out that the team rarely comments on such reports, said this one is “ludicrous.”

Bill Polian, general manager of the Bills, said the report is “absolutely not true. They never contacted us, and we never contacted them. We will not trade Jim Kelly to the Raiders.”

Kelly, a Houston resident, is currently negotiating with the Bills, who own his National Football League rights. He has often advertised his preference to play for the Raiders.

Raider officials appreciate Kelly’s talents, but there is also a feeling among them that it’s an impossible dream. “The last deal we ever made with Buffalo was for Daryle Lamonica in 1967,” one official said recently, “and their owner (Ralph Wilson) swore he’d never make another.”

On the next draft day, Kelly will be free to talk to other NFL teams, although the Bills retain a right of first refusal. They can match any offer and sign Kelly.

There has been speculation that Kelly might try to free himself by setting a high price. Kelly seems to be encouraging that speculation.

The Post said he is asking for $10 million over five years.

“If the figures are right (high enough), I’ll play in Buffalo,” Kelly told the Post. “If they’re not, I’ll sit out another year.

“I told them (the Bills) I’m not going to sit out a year and then play for them. If I don’t play for them this year, I won’t play for them.”