The Seattle Seahawks have traded quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to the Buffalo Bills, announced Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Terms of the deal have not yet been made available.
Jackson, 29, began training camp in a three-way competition with Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback position on the Seahawks. Most expected Flynn to win the job. After all, the former backup to Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers threw for six touchdowns in his only NFL start last season, and he signed a three-year, $21 million deal this offseason.
But it appears that rookie third-round draft pick Wilson has emerged to capture the starting job. Wilson would be the fifth rookie quarterback to start his team’s season opener, joining first round picks Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Weeden.
Jackson started 15 games for Seattle last season, throwing for 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He spent 2008 to 2010 as a backup with the Minnesota Vikings, although he did take over the starting job from veteran Gus Frerotte midway through the ’08 season. The Vikings reached the playoffs, winning the NFC North, but were easily defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.
Jackson’s only other starting experience is 12 games in 2007, when he threw for nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Bills currently have veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback. Fitzpatrick, also 29, played well enough in the first half of last season to earn a six-year, $59 million contract extension. But his numbers really tailed off at the end of the year, although he did play the final nine games of the season with two cracked ribs. He threw for 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
Buffalo is expected to compete for a playoff berth this season thanks to a successful draft and a number of big free agent signings, including veteran defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson.
But if Fitzpatrick struggles, it’s possible that Jackson could take over.
The Bills also have veterans Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen on their roster, as well as wildcat specialist Brad Smith. Rumors have circulated recently that Young is not expected to make the Bills’ roster, and the Jackson trade should seal his fate, thus making Mr. Dream Team a free agent.
This article was written by Bryn Swartz, the top writer for the Philadelphia Eagles and a featured NFL columnist on Rant Sports. Bryn has written more than 1000 articles in less than two years as a member of Rant Sports. His blog, Eagles Central, was named the 2010 Ballhyped Sports Blog of the Year. To read a portfolio of Bryn’s best work, click here.
