Bermudian NFL rising star Antonio Pierce could finally re-sign for the Redskins this week, securing a multi-million dollar contract and his place as a regular starter.

Pierce, who had an outstanding season after three years as a special teamer, will become a free agent at the end of the month unless Washington can get him to put pen to paper.

Talks have been ongoing for weeks now, but with the Redskins staff returning from a short off-season break to begin salary cap and contract discussions, this is going to be Pierce?s big week.

Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs and owner Daniel Snyder met with Pierce?s agent Drew Rosenhaus ? recently hired for what could be a very lucrative deal for the 24-year-old ? at the Senior Bowl, the final game for college stars to put themselves in the shop window.

With the complex salary cap structure in the NFL, Pierce?s deal may have to be slightly delayed while the club decide how much they have to spend on the various players they still need to sign, with cornerback Fred Smoot apparently throwing a spanner in the works by demanding a huge signing bonus.

?If you spend more for one player than you feel like you should then it?s going to cost you with the other core group guys you are trying to sign,? said Gibbs, hinting Smoot may have to leave the club if it affects the cash left to sign players like Pierce and other younger, less greedy free agents.

Pierce, although not demanding as much as an elite player like Smoot, is still determined to get his value as a Pro Bowl alternate.

?It would have to be a mind-blowing offer for me to leave because as long as coach (Gregg) Williams is here, I think I?m a good fit for this defence,? said Pierce, who led the team with 160 tackles and scored a 78-yard touchdown interception last month.

?I want to be here in the future but I need to make sure I get my true value. If they come up with the numbers then I am going to be a Redskin.?