The Buffalo Bills brought in Rex Ryan to take over as head coach and now his main priority is finding a quarterback, as EJ Manuel has not developed into a consistent starter yet and that could get the team to look at a draft trade for Jameis Winston, while names like Mark Sanchez and Brian Hoyer will be available on the free agent market in 2015.
Ryan had his first press conference last week as head coach and he was his usual self, saying that the Bills are a strong team and could make the playoffs. According to Pro Football Talk, Ryan was asked about Manuel and the quarterback situation, saying that Manuel has a lot of potential and that the team has some options moving forward. Ryan was asked about the potential for a Sanchez reunion and while he said that the team will consider free agents on the market and that Sanchez is one they potentially will look at.
While Sanchez may not excite the fan base like Winston or a Jay Cutler trade, he could be the perfect option for Ryan for this year at least. Sanchez had a solid season with the Eagles after Nick Foles was injured and while he said he would be open to staying in Philly, he could find a starting job with another team. Sanchez, or Hoyer for that matter, could be the perfect short-term bridge quarterback, giving the Bills time to see if Manuel is the real deal.
The bridge option would give the Bills time to see Manuel and wouldn't lock the team into a big contract like with Cutler. Peter King at the MMQB suggested the Bills should trade for Cutler, as they have a playoff defense and some solid personnel on offense. Cutler could be a good fit, but that would take a major move and after the team traded up for Sammy Watkins in the draft, they likely do not have the package to do it. The team has Watkins, Robert Woods and Fred Jackson and could bring back CJ Spiller, but it's looking likely that Spiller leaves. The team needs to improve on offense and Greg Roman was brought in to revamp things after Doug Marrone opted out as head coach. The offense ranked in the bottom half of the league last season and Ryan is looking to improve that this year.
The Bills defense is not an issue, as they ranked third in passing yards allowed per game and 11th in rushing yards allowed last season. Ryan is in a similar place that he was when he was with the Jets, as the team has a strong defense, issues at quarterback and a bad offense. Last season Sanchez completed over 64 percent of his passes and had 2418 yards and 14 TDs in nine games and if he comes to the Bills, all he has to do it play solid ball and not be a superstar and the team could be in the playoffs.
The team finished 9-7 this past season for a winning record for the first time in years and now Ryan has the chance to put his mark on the Bills.