The Bills held a quarterback competition throughout the offseason. Trent Edwards got the most first-team reps throughout, especially in training camp.
At the end of a five-month process, the Bills decided Edwards was their best quarterback. Three weeks later, he’s not even on the team.
The Bills released Edwards Monday, one week after coach Chan Gailey replaced Edwards with Ryan Fitzpatrick. It’s not that we disagree with the move to Fitzpatrick. And Edwards, benched again, had probably outlived his usefulness.
But this release points out once again the Bills have absolutely no plan. No long-term vision. When they do have a plan, they don’t stick to it for more than a few weeks.
Buffalo acquired one quarterback this offseason; seventh-round pick Levi Brown. He’s no longer on the team. The team has absolutely no long-term option at the position. If Edwards wasn’t the guy, they should have known faster.
The coaches rotate, but the huge changes in direction remains along with owner Ralph Wilson. Bills fans, among the best in all of U.S. professional sports, deserve better.
Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell, currently on injured reserve, put the move in perspective well on Twitter: “Wow. Bills let Trent Edwards go today. I know he wasn’t starting but...? Huh”
Edwards is now subject to waivers. He’s due $1.65 million, so he could pass through waivers before teams show interest. Edwards has shown enough in his brief career for a few teams to take him on as a possible backup. Jacksonville makes some sense.