The Buffalo Bills made a big move heading into the 2013 offseason by cutting starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and with just weeks left until the NFL draft, the team will be looking for a new starter and some of the top options include Carson Palmer, Matt Flynn, Tim Tebow and Matt Cassel.
While it may take a trade or some interesting accounting to get one of those names, for the Bills to have any type of chance in AFC East next season they will need someone better than Tavaris Jackson and Aaron Corp to do so. The Raiders want Palmer to re-work his deal and they could possibly trade him depending on how the negotiations go.
According to ESPN.com, the Bills have a number of options when it comes to free agents and trades, as Cassel and Flynn could be available as the offseason continues. The Chiefs traded for Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers and also signed Chase Daniel, leaving Cassel as the odd man out and he was finally released Thursday. Cassel could fit with the Bills as a bridge quarterback for someone like Geno Smith, who the team could take with the eighth overall pick.
Fitzpatrick had a disappointing season last year and threw a career-high 23 interceptions. The quarterback signed a six-year extension with the team in 2011, but the Bills have been perennial losers since then and after hiring head coach Doug Marrone, they felt it was time to move on. Fitzpatrick could find a home in Jacksonville or another team looking for a quarterback, while the Bills could decide to use Jackson, but chances are they will bring in someone else.
Tebow could be an option if the Jets don't ask for too much and Matt Flynn could also be an option if they can entice the Seahawks into taking some draft picks. The team likely will use the draft to rebuild the team and the number eight pick could net them Smith or another quarterback like Matt Barkley.
The Bills have been active in free agency, signing linebacker Manny Lawson from the Bengals. The signing will bolster a defense that struggled last season and comes right after Fitzpatrick was released.
Lawson has played in Cincinnati for the past two seasons and according to ESPN.com, the linebacker signed a four-year $12 million deal that includes nearly $5 million in guaranteed money. Lawson was drafted in 2006 by the 49ers and can play different positions on defense, including at defensive end and at linebacker.
New head coach Doug Marrone is planning to use a 3-4 system with coordinator Mike Pettine, who came to the team from the New York Jets. The Bills defense struggled last season against the run, ranking 31st in the league with opponents averaging 145 yards per game. Lawson will be able to help the defense after a solid season with the Bengals, making 47 tackles and two sacks in 16 games.
The Bills are also planning to add depth on defense after releasing Nick Barnett and losing Kirk Morrison to free agency. Buffalo has struggled at finding a quarterback over the past decade and now will have to start over again after releasing Fitzpatrick. The draft will likely be the best way for the Bills to get a new starter, but they may want to bring in a veteran to help hold things over for a year or two.
