He was brought in as an insurance policy right before the 2012 regular season in a trade with Seattle. On Friday the Bills re-signed quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, and according to new head coach Doug Marrone the veteran signal caller will have a much better opportunity to see playing time for Buffalo in 2013.
"I spoke with Ryan (Fitzpatrick) and Tarvaris (Jackson) and told them we will have an open competition at the quarterback position – similar to what we will do at all positions on our team heading into our offseason work," said Marrone. "I believe that our players will embrace this challenge. We are looking forward to working with our players as we prepare for the 2013 season."
Jackson (6'2" 225) was to become a free agent in mid-March had he not been re-signed by the club, but he was interested in returning to the team that traded for him last August.
"I feel pretty good about it," Jackson told the John Murphy Show. "I talked to (Bills GM)Buddy (Nix) right before the season ended and after the season ended and it sounded like he really wanted me there so that's where I wanted to go."
The third quarterback on Buffalo's roster in 2012, Jackson never saw the field for the Bills last season as the previous coaching staff expressed concern that there was not enough practice time to get him live reps in the offensive system.
What was likely most attractive to head coach Doug Marrone and his offensive staff about Jackson is his strong background in the West Coast system. Jackson had been in it his entire NFL career between his six seasons in Minnesota and one season as a starter in Seattle in 2011. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's scheme has a lot of West Coast principles.
Jackson was the full time starter for the Seahawks that season and completed just over 60 percent of his passes throwing for almost 3,100 yards (3,091) with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. It's perceived that Jackson is a quarterback that also presents the ability to run, but the most rushing attempts he's ever had in a season is 54, when he was the starter for Minnesota back in 2007. He has just five rushing touchdowns in his career.
Originally a second-round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2006 Draft, the Alabama State product has started 34-of-51 career games, totaling 7,075 yards on 625-of-1,053 passing with 38 touchdowns and 35 interceptions.
With the Jackson signing Buffalo now has three quarterbacks on their roster as he joins Ryan Fitzpatrick and Aaron Corp, who signed with the club Thursday.
