The Buffalo Bills don't have a legitimate signal-caller.
We know it. You know it. General manager Doug Whaley knows it.
"The way we looked at is, we don't have a proven franchise quarterback. That's obvious," Whaley said Monday, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. "But what we wanted to do is be perfect everywhere else, where that guy doesn't have to put the game on his shoulders and be the man. We want him to be able to just make right decisions and be able to put the ball in the hands of the playmakers.
"And that's what we wanted to do," said Whaley, "is get as many playmakers and as many people that can score touchdowns as possible around that position until that position takes that next step."
Whaley's admission is notable after the amount of faith the organization showed in young EJ Manuel last offseason, when Whaley told reporters: "Our main focus is making sure EJ progresses."
Manuel, though, has flatlined over his first two seasons, prompting the Bills to import Kyle Orton last year before trading forMatt Cassel for 2015.
It's scary to think what Buffalo might achieve with a legitimate arm under center. Still, with one of the league's most talented defensive lines and an attack littered with playmakers, the Bills certainly loom as an interesting cog in the AFC East. Toppling New England, though, remains a long-shot until this organization finds a quarterback worth keeping around.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast delves into the 2015 NFL schedule, grading the primetime games and highlighting the Week 1 matchups. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.