Where did the Buffalo Bills acquire their 2018 Pro Bowl quarterback?

The year is 2018.

After more than two decades of searching, the Buffalo Bills have found their long-term starter at the quarterback position. We were all skeptical at first; after all, how many times have we been burned in the past? Why would this guy be any different?

Well, he showed us. He was just voted to his second Pro Bowl, but there's no time for that this year, since his team's in Minnesota preparing for Super Bowl LII. Needless to say, we're all thrilled that this guy ended up in Orchard Park.

Now, the question: who is he, and how did he get here?

He could be one of the guys on the roster right now. Did EJ Manuel solve the problems that dogged him over his first few seasons and find new life in Greg Roman's offense? Maybe Matt Cassel regained the form that put him in the Pro Bowl in 2010, and used the trade to Buffalo as a launching pad for his third act in the NFL. Or perhaps Tyrod Taylor used his new opportunity to thrive in Buffalo and play to the level that he did at Virginia Tech.

Maybe he'll be the Bills' second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Terry Pegula loves using franchise faces for symbolism, so wouldn't it be fitting if Jim Kelly announced his spiritual successor from the podium in Chicago? Bryce Petty is a popular name of late, and there's been a lot of talk around Garrett Grayson as well. They could also be throwing up a smokescreen around Brett Hundley.

Of course, they could wait until there's a first-round pick to use, in 2016. Connor Cook (Michigan State) and Cody Kessler (USC) are early favorites to be day one picks next year. There are a few underclassmen with potential who could declare, such as Jared Goff (California) or Christian Hackenberg (Penn State). There's also a wild card in Cardale Jones (Ohio State), who could do anything from vault to first-overall status to warming the bench all season.

The top of the draft isn't the only place to find quarterbacks, however. Some potential late-round gems in 2015 include Sean Mannion, Brandon Bridge, and Connor Halliday. It's too early to speculate about too many potential late-round quarterbacks next year, but Trevone Boykin of TCU could be a guy who falls that has some upside as a quarterback.

Finally, there's the possibility that Buffalo's quarterback of the future is in the NFL right now, but on a different team. Sam Bradford seems to constantly be available via trade, and he's playing out the final year of his contract this year anyway. The guy Bradford was just traded for, Nick Foles, is also set to hit free agency after this season. So is Russell Wilson, of course, and it's not hard to see Pegula willing to throw money at him if Seattle somehow lets him get away.

So, Bills fans, how are the Bills going to get their franchise quarterback in place by the year 2018?