Mike Gillislee

Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

(D. Ross Cameron)

The Buffalo Bills placed an original round tender on running back Mike Gillislee in early March.

Teams have until April 21 to sign Gillislee to an offer sheet. If that occurs and the Bills do not match the offer, the team would receive a fifth round pick back in compensation. That said, playing for the Bills in 2017 appears imminent. The back participated in Buffalo's voluntary workouts last week and hasn't been linked to any teams showing interest in signing him to an offer sheet.

Although the Bills could have Gillislee play 2017 on his tender of $1.797 million, Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reported on Wednesday night that the two sides are in talks on an extension.

Pauline wrote:

"During the combine I mentioned the Buffalo Bills were meeting with representatives of Mike Gillislee in the hopes of hammering out an extension. I'm told talks are ongoing and both sides hope to reach an agreement in the next two weeks."

Gillislee, 26, is coming off of a season in which he rushed for 577 yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries (5.7 YPC) as LeSean McCoy's complement. He added 50 yards and one touchdown receiving.

Considering his age and production, the Bills may be looking to keep Gillislee in the fold as the team's heir apparent to McCoy.