The Buffalo Bills released quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, the team announced. It's a stunning move, just to see it, but it's not surprising given Fitzpatrick's contract as well as his struggles.
Fitzpatrick was due a $3 million bonus as of Wednesday, and it became clear that the Bills didn't believe he was a viable starting quarterback.
GM Buddy Nix made that much almost crystal clear when he said during the offseason that the time was now to make a move for a young quarterback.
The Bills re-signed quarterback Tarvaris Jackson this offseason and have been noncommittal on Fitzpatrick's status as recently as late February.
It certainly didn't help matters when a former Bills coach came out and called Fitzpatrick "average to below average."
This is great news for Geno Smith, the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the draft, as it appears Buffalo could now be the bottoming-out point for his draft stock.
