Could Cardale Jones get a chance as Bills' starting QB?
The Buffalo Bills will soon have a monumental decision to make at the most important position on the field.
An option worked into the six-year extension Tyrod Taylor signed last summer gives the club the ability to get out from under the remainder of his contract. Doing so would allow the Bills to avoid $30.25 million in guarantees being locked in, meanwhile taking on nothing more than a minimal cap hit next season.
Whether it would be a sensible move to part ways with their most productive quarterback since Jim Kelly, at an annual salary average that remains well-below the league's elite signal-callers, can be left up for debate.
A significant factor in any such decision will, of course, be whether the Bills feel as though they can find a suitable replacement. While the decision-making structure within the organization largely remains a mystery, at least one prominent member of the front office appears to believe a candidate is already on the roster.
In assessing the Bills' quarterback options this week, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News indicated that going with Cardale Jones as the starter is thought to be appealing to general manager Doug Whaley.
Jones, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, was considered a particularly raw NFL prospect after limited action in his time at Ohio State. He spent the majority of his rookie season at the bottom of the depth chart, and only saw snaps in Week 17 when EJ Manuel, who got the start with an eye on the future, was benched.
It's certainly no guarantee Taylor ends up elsewhere next year, and perhaps the two sides finding a way to continue their relationship can still be considered the most likely scenario.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported this week that, although Taylor wouldn't accept any sort of pay cut, there's a "real possibility" he'd be willing to rework his deal in a way that can save cap space.
But Whaley's apparent interest in giving Jones a shot certainly adds something to the equation.
The Bills will also have the option of targeting a quarterback with the No. 10 overall pick in April's draft, and there are a number of veteran signal-callers that could become available by way of trade or in free agency next month.
Taylor started 15 games in his second season in Buffalo, completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 3,023 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Again performing as one of the league's most dynamic athletes at the position, he also racked up 580 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.