Cesar Tordesillas

The Buffalo Bills have released Ryan Fitzpatrick, leaving the team without a starting quarterback.

Fitzpatrick, who was due to receive $3 million and $10 million next season, reportedly received a phone call from Bills general manager Buddy Nix, who reportedly asked him to serve as a backup quarterback.

According to sources, Fitzpatrick might have asked the Bills to release him rather than accepting the backup role.

"Our focus remains on adding another quarterback to our roster and we will continue to explore every option available to us," Nix told ESPN on Tuesday.

With the hope that Fitzpatrick would turn into an elite quarterback, the Bills awarded a six-year, $62 million extension two years ago.

Fitzpatrick suddenly becomes the top quarterback available in a shallow free-agency market while the Bills will eat the quarterback's $10 million in dead cap money.

 

Buffalo Bills Release Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick - NFL 2013