EJ Manuel Named Bills Starting QB over Tyrod Taylor in Week 17 vs. Jets

After firing head coach Rex Ryan, the Buffalo Bills are making a change at quarterback, starting EJ Manuel under center over Tyrod Taylor against the New York Jets in Week 17.

Interim head coach Anthony Lynn confirmed the decision to reporters on Dec. 28, saying it was a business decision, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the move Dec. 27. 

On Friday, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported the team decided to move on from Taylor weeks ago and noted the quarterback could need surgery on his groin. 

According to Schefter, the Bills intend to sit Taylor because if he suffered a significant injury in the game, they would have to pay him a guaranteed $30.75 million.

The team announced earlier on Dec. 27 it had relieved Ryan of his duties. Lynn, the offensive coordinator, will serve as the interim head coach in Week 17.

Per Rapoport, the Bills' decision to start Manuel is also based on his potential future with the organization.

Manuel is scheduled to hit free agency, and per Rapoport, general manager Doug Whaley wants to get at least one more look at him to see if he's worth re-signing:

Taylor started the first 15 games of the season, going 7-8 with 3,023 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions through the air, as well as 580 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

He started 14 games in 2015 and was named to his first Pro Bowl after serving as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens for the first four seasons of his career.

Buffalo selected Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, and he has made 16 starts over four seasons.

The former Florida State standout is 6-10 in his career as a starter. In all, he has a 58.8 completion percentage for 3,416 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Manuel saw his most extensive action as a rookie in 2013 with 10 starts, but he was overtaken by veteran Kyle Orton and then lost a three-way competition to Taylor and Matt Cassel for the starting job prior to the 2015 campaign.

Taylor is coming off his best game of the season, as he threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.

Buffalo may still opt to pick up Taylor's contract and make him the starter in 2017, but sitting him keeps the organization's options safe.

Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether No. 3 quarterback Cardale Jones will see any action. The rookie fourth-round pick figures to be on the roster next season, whereas Manuel may be playing his final game with the team.

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