The Bills were selective in the early goings of free agency with the additions of Manny Lawson and Alan Branch and continued that trend Monday in officially signing QB Kevin Kolb.
"We wanted to add some veteran experience to the quarterback position on our roster and we think we've added a good one by signing Kevin," said Bills GM Buddy Nix. "He's a player we had targeted since he became a free agent and he should be a strong candidate in the competition for the starting quarterback position."
RELATED: Photos of new Bills QB Kolb
Terms of the contract were not disclosed per team policy.
Recently released by the Arizona Cardinals after two seasons in the desert, Kolb (6'3" 218) is a six-year veteran. The Cardinals traded a second-round pick and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Kolb back in 2011, but after two seasons and a coaching change Arizona parted ways with the signal caller.
What's likely most attractive about Kolb for the Bills is his familiarity with the offensive principles of the West Coast offense having spent his first four NFL seasons in former Eagles coach Andy Reid's offensive system.
The 28-year old will be competing for the starting quarterback role in Buffalo with Tarvaris Jackson and Aaron Corp. He will wear number four.
Kolb has never played a full 16-game slate in his career, due mainly to the fact that he's served in a backup capacity as a young player or been injured. Kolb was to be the full-time starter in Arizona in 2011, but injuries kept him from staying in the lineup. In 2012 he re-assumed the starting role for the Cardinals after John Skelton was injured.
BILLS 2013 FREE AGENCY SIGNINGS: DT Alan Branch OLB Manny Lawson
A turf toe injury and a concussion in 2011 allowed him to appear in just nine games. Then in 2012 he sustained a rib injury in a Week 6 contest against Buffalo, in which he was sacked five times and he never played for the Cardinals again.
Kolb completed 14-of-26 passes for 128 yards with a touchdown and interception against the Bills, but left in the fourth quarter and did not return. He also rushed for 66 yards on five carries in the 19-16 overtime victory for Buffalo.
