Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSunday, July 12, 2026

Tarvaris Jackson’s Trade To Bills Affects Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen

Tarvaris Jackson won't be giving Ryan Fitzpatrick a run for his money as the Bills starter, but probably will be replacing Vince Young as the team's second-string quarterback, possibly meaning the end of Young's time in Buffalo.

The Bills flipped a draft pick to the Seahawks after Jackson lost a three-way position battle to Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn. Buffalo had brought in Young to provide depth for Fitzpatrick, but he's far from the quarterback some might remember at Texas and as the No. 3 pick. Young threw four touchdowns to nine interceptions last season, and his most recent preseason outing against Pittsburgh saw him go 12-for-26 with a pair of picks. Jackson seems likely to be the No. 2 guy in Young's place, as Buffalo Rumblings explains.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated reports that the seventh-round pick could become a sixth-rounder if Jackson is active for six games. (He'll be active for much more than that as the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick.) Keeping in mind that the trade won't be official until Jackson agrees to a re-structured contract, the deal seems like more of a formality at this point - and Buffalo's backup quarterback race will be over.

That might make Young expendable. With no need for Young as a backup, he'll make a somewhat expensive third-stringer, as contract incentives shoot up should he make the team's roster and be active. The Bills will also not likely opt to keep Tyler Thigpen instead as a third-stringer. Chan Gailey has already said that when the season comes around, he would only keep one backup QB with do-everything player Brad Smith the team's emergency quarterback in the third-string role.

For more on the Bills, check out Buffalo Rumblings.

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
Dante Moore went back to Oregon to become NFL-ready. How far away is he?Dante Moore went back to Oregon to become NFL-ready. How far away is he?
NFL

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore refused to bow to the NFL’s temptation in 2026. What must be do to make that the right call in 2027?

By Doug Farrar
NFL
7 big questions ahead of NFL training camp7 big questions ahead of NFL training camp
NFL

Training camp is almost open, and we have questions.

By James Dator
NFL
5 NFL coaches who are surprise hot-seat candidates in 20265 NFL coaches who are surprise hot-seat candidates in 2026
NFL

These NFL head coaches may be in trouble if they don’t live up to expectations this season

By Bill Williamson
NFL
NFL fans predict AFC division winnersNFL fans predict AFC division winners
NFL

Who will be the AFC division winners this season? NFL fans weigh in

By Mark Schofield
NFL
Rams rookie Ty Simpson opens up on challenges learning Sean McVay’s offenseRams rookie Ty Simpson opens up on challenges learning Sean McVay’s offense
NFL

Sean McVay has rookie QB Ty Simpson ‘drinking from a fire hydrant’

By Mark Schofield
NFL
Why NFL teams want super-safeties with Nick Emmanwori’s versatilityWhy NFL teams want super-safeties with Nick Emmanwori’s versatility
NFL

Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are the NFL’s three new do-it-all safeties. Here’s why they’re so important to the league right now.

By Doug Farrar