ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Bills have a new backup quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson, and they have cut Vince Young.
Young posted comments on his Twitter account indicating his time in Buffalo was over on Monday morning, and the team announced his release in the afternoon.
That was after the Bills reached an agreement with Jackson to restructure the final year of his contract and complete a trade to acquire the quarterback from the Seattle Seahawks.
“Respect Bills fans,” Young wrote. “I want to thank the Bills organization for the opportunity and with the organization and my teammates good luck this season.”
A person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press that a deal between the Bills and Jackson was reached early Monday morning and added that Jackson was already traveling to Buffalo.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills (No. 19 in the AP Pro32) have not announced the trade.
Jackson was scheduled to make $4 million this season. That figure was reworked during talks with Jackson’s agent, Joel Segal, because the Bills deemed it to be too expensive for a backup player.
It’s not yet clear what the Seahawks will get in return, though it’s expected to be a mid- to late-round draft pick from Buffalo.
On Sunday night, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed the trade had been agreed to by both teams but its completion was delayed by what he called “paperwork.”
Jackson was expected to take a physical before signing his new contract with Buffalo, and then join his new team for a late-afternoon practice.
The Bills (0-3) are preparing to complete their preseason schedule at Detroit on Thursday, when Jackson will have an opportunity to play.
Jackson is a seven-year veteran who has gone 17-17 as a starter with Minnesota and Seattle. He had a 7-7 record with the Seahawks last season, but his future was left uncertain after Seattle acquired Matt Flynn in free agency this offseason, and after using a third-round pick to draft Russell Wilson in April.
On Sunday, Carroll said Wilson will be the Seahawks’ starting QB.
Jackson’s arrival spelled trouble for Young in his bid to win the backup job behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Young, who signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in May, had the edge to win the No. 2 job until he struggled in a 38-7 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Young threw two interceptions, the first coming on his first pass attempt, and finished 12 of 26 for 103 yards passing in playing the entire second half.
Young had been competing with returning backup Tyler Thigpen for the No. 2 job.
And coach Chan Gailey has maintained there’s only room for one backup, because the No. 3 job is going to receiver/wildcat specialist Brad Smith.
It is the latest blow to Young’s once-promising career. After leading Texas to the national championship in 2006, Young was selected third overall in the draft by the Tennessee Titans and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Titans eventually ran out of patience with Young and released him last summer. Young had a disappointing season as Michael Vick’s backup in Philadelphia last year.
Jackson has had an up-and-down career since being selected by Minnesota in the second round of the 2006 draft. He spent five years with the Vikings, including a 2007 when he went 8-4 before losing his starting job.
Jackson signed a two-year contract with the Seahawks last year, and was credited for playing a major role in the team’s turnaround after a 2-6 start. He had career numbers in completions (271), attempts (450), 3,091 yards passing with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
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