In Peters case the change in job status warranted a change in contract, both times. If any situation caused the Ralph is cheap talk, this was the time.
At the time there was a lot of "do you think you know more than the Bills do" on the old message board. I admit I did think I knew more than the Bills did. I knew more than the Bills did for 17 long years.
If you lowball a player of Peters talent, then you will get a team of low talent. That is disrespect for the Bills mafia.