Former Buffalo Bills first round pick EJ Manuel has found a new home in 2017 NFL free agency. The quarterback and sometimes short yardage back and hard count specialist will compete with Connor Cook to be Derek Carr’s backup with the Oakland Raiders.
Manuel started just 17 games in four seasons for the Bills, including the 2016 season finale, with a record of 6-11 having never started more than 10 games in a single year. He passed for 3502 yards and 19 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. His 58.3% completion percentage looks even worse when you take into account his 6.4 yards per attempt.
The departure of Manuel clears the way for second-year man Cardale Jones to step in as the primary backup to Tyrod Taylor, who beat out Manuel for the starting job two years ago.
Not one to take many risks, Manuel is the first quarterback drafted by the Bills since Frank Reich in 1984 to finish his career with the team with a positive TD-to-INT ratio. Best wishes to Manuel as he follows former Bills quarterbacks J.P. Losman and Trent Edwards, who both signed contracts with the Raiders after leaving Buffalo.