Backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is coming back to Buffalo after re-signing with the Bills on Friday. And returning starter Ryan Fitzpatrick remains part of the team's future for now.
In announcing Jackson's signing, new coach Doug Marrone ended a month of speculation regarding his plans at quarterback by saying he intends to have Fitzpatrick and Jackson compete for the starting job.
''I spoke with Ryan and Tarvaris and told them we will have an open competition at the quarterback position - similar to what we will do at all positions,'' Marrone said, in a statement released by the team. ''I believe that our players will embrace this challenge.''
This was Marrone's most definitive statement regarding Fitzpatrick's future since he took over last month. Marrone, credited for turning around a struggling Syracuse program over the past four years, replaced Chan Gailey, who was fired after three consecutive losing seasons.
Jackson signed a one-year deal after completing the final year of his contract, and was eligible to become a free agent next month. He's gone 17-17 in seven NFL seasons as a starter, but did not play a down for Buffalo after spending all of last year as the team's third-stringer.
Jackson elected to return because of the opportunity to compete for the starting job. He also referred to a conversation he had with general manager Buddy Nix, who had expressed an interest in re-signing him last month.
In announcing Jackson's signing, new coach Doug Marrone ended a month of speculation regarding his plans at quarterback by saying he intends to have Fitzpatrick and Jackson compete for the starting job.
''I spoke with Ryan and Tarvaris and told them we will have an open competition at the quarterback position - similar to what we will do at all positions,'' Marrone said, in a statement released by the team. ''I believe that our players will embrace this challenge.''
This was Marrone's most definitive statement regarding Fitzpatrick's future since he took over last month. Marrone, credited for turning around a struggling Syracuse program over the past four years, replaced Chan Gailey, who was fired after three consecutive losing seasons.
Jackson signed a one-year deal after completing the final year of his contract, and was eligible to become a free agent next month. He's gone 17-17 in seven NFL seasons as a starter, but did not play a down for Buffalo after spending all of last year as the team's third-stringer.
Jackson elected to return because of the opportunity to compete for the starting job. He also referred to a conversation he had with general manager Buddy Nix, who had expressed an interest in re-signing him last month.