Redskins & Bills Name Starting Quarterbacks
Both the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins announced the winner of their respective quarterback battles, leading to questions surrounding the future of the remaining quarterbacks.
Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins injured quarterback Robert Griffin III (right) talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden announced that it’s “Kirk’s team”, when announcing the fourth year quarterback would lead the team for the season. Cousins, 27, has started nine regular-season games and carries a 2-7 record in those games. He has stepped in on many occasions when Robert Griffin III or Colt McCoy has struggled or gotten injured.
This announcement leaves former second overall pick Robert Griffin III and veteran Colt McCoy wondering where they’re next job will be. The team has not announced any plans to cut or trade either quarterbacks, but multiple sources have said the team has engaged in unsuccessful trade talks regarding Griffin.
"We believe in Robert. It’s a good problem to have to have three quarterbacks that are competing and working their butts off."
Colt McCoy will play the entirety of the fourth preseason game against the Jaguars. The Redskins open up their season at home versus Ndamukong Suh and the Miami Dolphins.
As for Rex Ryan’s Bills, former Ravens backup Tyrod Taylor will enter the season as the teams starter, per Fox Sports. Taylor beat out former first round pick EJ Manuel and previously acquired Matt Cassel. Taylor was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens back in 2011. While backing up Joe Flacco, Taylor won a ring in 2012, but saw very little playing time overall. He’s never made an NFL start entering his fifth season in the league, which dates his last start to an Orange Bowl loss to Andrew Luck’s Stanford team in 2011.
ESPN laid out how Taylor’s contract situation could possibly change with his new starting title:
"Taylor signed a three-year deal with the Bills in March, but that will void to a two-year contract if he plays at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps in either 2015 or 2016. Taylor will have a $833,333 cap number this season and can earn up to $2 million in playing time and playoff incentives."
Moving forward, the Bill’s expect all three quarterbacks to make the 53 man roster, “unless something else happens.” Matt Cassel carries a cap hit of nearly $5 million, which could make him extendable. The Bills had acquired him and a sixth round pick for a 5th and a future 7th round pick earlier in the offseason. The sixth round pick acquired by Buffalo was used to select OLB Tony Steward, while Minnesota traded the pick to Atlanta (Grady Jarrett) and picked up a fifth (Stefon Diggs) and sixth (Tyrus Thompson) round pick. The future of EJ Manuel is in the shadows as well. He’s had a very inconsistent NFL career thus far and is certainly extendable for the Bills.
The Bills also announced they’ve released running back Fred Jackson, who’d spent his entire NFL career with the team. GM Doug Whaley told reporters “a decision like this doesn’t come lightly. Fred has been the heart + soul of the Bills for a long time.”
The Bills open their season against Andrew Luck and the Colts at home. The team announced they’ve sold a record 60,000 seasons tickets, so expect Ralph Wilson Stadium to be jam-packed to see newcomers LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor.