Another potential free agent quarterback target for the Jets came off the board yesterday.
The Bills re-signed quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to a one-year deal, preventing him from becoming a free agent next month. New Bills coach Doug Marrone said there will be an open competition between Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting quarterback job.
The Jets are expected to sign a veteran free agent quarterback to compete with Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy or a quarterback they acquire in the draft. There was no evidence Jackson was ever under consideration by the Jets, but some speculated he made sense because new general manager John Idzik was familiar with him from their days with the Seahawks.
Jackson’s signing comes days after the Eagles re-signed Michael Vick, who many thought would be released by the team.
The top quarterbacks expected to be available when free agency opens on March 12 are Matt Moore, Jason Campbell and David Garrard. Backups Alex Smith of the 49ers and Matt Flynn of the Seahawks also are expected to be available either through a trade or if their current teams cut them loose.
The Jets do not have a lot of money to spend on the position since they already are paying Sanchez $12.8 million with $8.25 million of that guaranteed.
Jackson did not get any playing time last year with the Bills. He was Seattle’s starter in 2011 when Idzik was a member of the team’s front office. That year, he threw for 3,091 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Marrone, who was hired away from Syracuse, confirmed the Bills’ plan yesterday.
“I spoke with Ryan and Tarvaris and told them we will have an open competition at the quarterback position — similar to what we will do at all positions on our team heading into our offseason work,” Marrone said, according to the team’s website. “I believe that our players will embrace this challenge. We are looking forward to working with our players as we prepare for the 2013 season.”
There also have been reports the Eagles might be interested in trading Nick Foles now that they are bringing Vick back. Multiple reports yesterday said, however, the Eagles will hold on to Foles, a 2012 third-round draft pick.