The trend for 2013 has been for teams to trade or sign a high-profile quarterback in the offseason and then bring in a rookie to create an open competition for the starting role. Does the rookie have a real chance at starting? The Buffalo Bills are certainly following this idea. They signed Kevin Kolb in the offseason, paying him starting quarterback money. However, they drafted E.J. Manuel and have Tarvaris Jackson on the roster. So, who is getting the reps with the first-team offense? Jackson is the man as of now.
As OTAs continue on for the Bills, so does the quarterback carousel. Does Jackson taking first-team snaps mean he will be the starter for the Bills? Not necessarily, but it is an interesting page in the quarterback competition. Head coach Doug Marrone has promised that as of now, no depth chart has been made and the order will change as the team continues to get a look at each player.
Jackson getting named the starter would be a big upset. It has been assumed that Kolb and Manuel would sit atop the depth chart. Kolb is the team's short-term plan while Manuel could be the future of the franchise. Yet, somehow Jackson keeps sneaking in.
In terms of careers, Jackson and Kolb are very similar. Both quarterbacks have played 7-8 years in the league, seeing time as both a backup and a starter. Kolb was once the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals but failed to see much success. Jackson saw the same kind of luck as a starter in Seattle. Now, they are competing with another to again be named a starter.
Marrone has voiced his support for all three players on the roster. He continues to remain dedicated to rotating players in the position until one emerges as a true starter. The Bills have lacked identity in the quarterback position for years and this only adds to the history.
