Buffalo Bills have not talked to Ryan Fitzpatrick about restructuring deal

Buffalo Bills assistant GM Doug Whaley spoke about how the 2013 NFL Draft does not contain any quarterbacks who have the “total package”, which is a notable opinion coming from a respected exec on a team that holds the No. 8 pick in the draft and has a need for a quarterback. Bills head coach Doug Marrone said after the Bills re-signed backup Tarvaris Jackson that Fitzpatrick and Jackson would have a quarterback competition.

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

However, the prevailing thought is that the Bills will draft a QB to bring in with their two veterans on the roster. During the season, Buddy Nix stated that Fitzpatrick “was not the answer” and basically said that he wanted the Bills to draft a new QB. Nix isn’t the guy calling the shots anymore even if he wasn’t fired as GM, but he does have a point. Neither Fitzpatrick nor Jackson is the answer, and Whaley did say that the QBs in this class could be developed. I have a feeling the Bills will select a QB with potential that they like the most if they are available after the first round.

Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s job is still not safe, as the Buffalo News writes. Russ Brandon declined to commit on Fitzpatrick’s future with the team, and he is due a $3 million roster bonus next month, as Tim Graham notes. Fitzpatrick would be cheaper to release than keep, but Brandon said that it’s Marrone’s and Nix’s decision to make. He also added that the Bills and Fitzpatrick have not yet spoken about restructuring his hefty contract.

Brandon also said, via Graham, that the Bills will only use the franchise tag as a “last resort” this offseason. Brandon called the franchise tag “an asset”, but  told Graham that it can destroy a team’s salary cap situation. Jairus Byrd is the Bills headlining free agent, and the Bills will do everything they can to lock up perhaps the NFL’s best free safety. If they can’t get a long term deal done, then the relatively cheap $6.8 million franchise tag associated with Byrd will be an option for Buffalo.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.