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Buffalo Bills Needs List: The Overarching Question Mark

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01:  Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field in the second half against the New England Patriots on January 1, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field in the second half against the New England Patriots on January 1, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Sure, the Buffalo Bills signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to a massive six-year contract extension last season, keeping him under contract through the close of the 2017 season. That does not mean that the team has long-term direction at the position - and because of that, many Bills fans are astutely pointing out that finding that future "franchise" quarterback should remain the team's focus.

Here's the thing, though: the Bills did sign Fitzpatrick to that extension, which does give them direction at the position, even if it may not provide the current regime long-term security, nor the fan base much ease of mind.


Related: Buffalo Bills Need To Start Developing A Quarterback

For that reason - the contract extension - it's tough to put quarterback on a needs list pertaining specifically to this off-season. They've got a starter. They've got a backup. Both are well-paid. The need is for a developmental guy, and nobody says that has to come this season. Therefore, I am not listing quarterback on the needs list (which will be published this evening) - but it remains the overarching, decade-plus-long question mark hanging over this franchise.