The Buffalo Bills appeared to be one of the best options for the New York Jets in trading backup quarterback Tim Tebow, but that appears unlikely now that the Bills have brought back Tavaris Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick for next season.
According to ESPN.com sources, the Bills resigned backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. The team also is planning to keep quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the near future.
New head coach Doug Marrone is planning to have both Jackson and Fitzpatrick compete for the starting position after taking over following the 2012 campaign.
The Bills went just 6-10 and Fitzpatrick had a disappointing season after signing a long extension with the team the previous year. Fitzpatrick passed for 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also had 16 interceptions.
Jackson was the third-staring quarterback last season and he did not play a snap. Marrone takes over for Chan Gailey, who had three straight losing seasons for the Bills. Jackson was acquired last summer in a deal with the Seahawks.
Bringing back Jackson makes the Bills quarterback situation fairly set and leaves Tim Tebow without another place he could call home. The Bills were a slight possibility because of the poor play last season and a new coach, but the team has opted for another direction.
The Jets may have been unlikely to trade Tebow to a division rival anyway, but it forces the team to look elsewhere, including Cleveland and Baltimore, for a deal. Tebow was solid for the Jets when he was on the field, but he was used sparingly. He games over 100 yards on the ground and completed six of his eight passing attempts.
Some in the media and around football have suggested Tebow try to change positions, but so far he has appeared unwilling to do so. The Bills have a player in Brad Smith (who was also a Jet) that played quarterback in college and changes positions to great success and Tebow could try a similar track.
The Seahawks can remain a possibility as long as they have Matt Flynn and Pete Carroll is known as an out of the box thinker. He could be a great backup for Russell Wilson and Flynn could be a perfect grab as the new starter for the Jets.
The Cleveland Browns are under a new regime with a new owner and a new head coach and the franchise could shake things up with a trade for Tebow. The Jets would gladly take Brandon Weeden in a deal and both could get a fresh start with new franchises.
The Jets are in a tough spot in trading Tebow, but it probably is best since it was such a distraction in the media and for Mark Sanchez. Based on the contract the team gave Sanchez last year they really have no choice but to keep him, so the best option would be to trade Tebow rather than Sanchez.
The Jets appeared to be a surprise when they first acquired Tebow and it is likely a deal like that could happen again down the line as they look for trade partners.
