The Buffalo Bills have Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel at quarterback and in training camp those players will compete to start for Rex Ryan this season and it's shaping up to be a two-horse race as things push into the middle of July, as reports have Taylor and Cassel as the favorites to stay on top of the depth chart heading into the start of the 2015 season.
The Bills have Manuel, Taylor, Cassel and Matt Simms as the current QBs and it's likely that Simms will be the fourth option no matter how things play out. Cassel was acquired in a trade this offseason and the team signed Taylor away from the Ravens on a guaranteed contract. Ryan has reportedly been impressed with Taylor this offseason and according to the Buffalo News, Taylor is "hanging in" regarding the QB competition and that it's "really possible" that he ends up as the starting quarterback this season.
The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reported at the end of the month of May that Taylor was looking good in OTAs and that he "could emerge" as the starter over the summer with more strong play for Ryan. Cassel has the most experience among the quarterbacks for the Bills, but the outlet reports that "several people within the organization" think that Taylor could be the starter for the team. Greg Roman has worked with mobile quarterbacks before and that could be helpful as Taylor gets used to the offensive system this offseason.
Check here for more on the Buffalo Bills quarterback race between Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel for Rex Ryan.
Taylor and Cassel both split reps with the first team offense in minicamp and OTA workouts and now they will get the chance to work when training camp starts. Cassel, Manuel and Taylor each have fairly low completion percentages and that actually could help Taylor emerge as a starting option. If all three players are about the same in regards to accuracy, Taylor could get a leg up with his speed and athleticism. Taylor did not throw any passes last season and in the last three years he has only appeared in 10 games, attempting 34 passes in that stretch.
Cassel is likely the main competition for Taylor and he comes in after playing in three games last season for the Vikings. According to Vic Carucci at the Buffalo News, Cassel was "the worst-looking quarterback" among the group in offseason workouts and he may have to prove that he can be consistent to win the starting job. Cassel may get the starting job to open the season, but Taylor could be in line to come in if he struggles.
Earlier in the offseason there were reports that Manuel could be on his way out of Buffalo, but later the team came out to dismiss those as just rumors. Manuel was a first round pick under head coach Doug Marrone and now with Ryan in the fold he may have to prove a little extra to hang around as a quarterback option. Manuel has shown some flashes of potential over the last couple years, but when he has had the chance to start he has been inconsistent for the Bills.