It took just 14 games for the Buffalo Bills to give up on 2013 first-round pick EJ Manuel. The team signed veteran journeyman Kyle Orton in late August and made the switch to him in October. Manuel's future with the Bills is now in doubt as the team is 5-5 and on the fringes of playoff contention. One NFL observer isn't sure Buffalo will keep Manuel past this season.
CBS NFL analyst Steve Beuerlein was asked if he thinks Manuel can become a consistent quarterback in the league.
"No, I do not, and I don't like saying that, but I have not seen anything to indicate that could be the case," Beuerlein said. "I was against Doug Marrone benching EJ Manuel for Kyle Orton when he first did it. But now that we're this far into it, I'm seeing now why he did it. With the way EJ was progressing, you're looking at a three- or four-win season, probably and potentially a coaching change. With Kyle Orton in there, you at least give yourself a chance at eight or nine wins."
Manuel has thrown for 2,810 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 58.6 percent of his passes for his career. He is 6-8 as a starter.
"The question is: has EJ shown enough in his first two years for them to warrant giving him another chance? There's no doubt Kyle Orton is not the guy for the future, but you've got to decide whether or not EJ Manuel is. There are just so many questions there, that I don't know how you make that decision in his favor."
Despite the improved play at the quarterback position from Orton, Beuerlein still believes that the Bills need to invest in a long-term option.
"I don't look at Kyle Orton as a guy who can take a team very far, or very close to the promised land, so to speak. I think he's a very good veteran quarterback who has played well, but you've seen what you're going to get with him. He's going to have good days when they will be able to get it into the end zone a few more times, but realistically speaking, he's not going to carry a team, and his limitations against a really good defense are going to be exploited."
