Fred Jackson's proud career in Buffalo has come to an end.
The veteran running back was released by the Bills on Monday, a source informed of the move told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. The team later confirmed the transaction.
Jackson, 34, spent the past eight years in Buffalo, serving as the team's workhorse back and defying the odds from the start as an undrafted prospect out of tiny Coe College.
Jackson's finest season with the club came in 2009, when he led the Bills with 1,062 yards before ripping off back-to-back 900-yard campaigns in 2010 and 2011. F-Jax's 5,646 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground in Buffalo made him immensely popular with fans.
His release is surprising, but the runner's age (34) and $2.35 million salary led the Bills to look elsewhere without even asking Jackson to take a pay cut. He felt like the quintessential Rex Ryan favorite, but Jackson found himself in a crowded backfield behind LeSean McCoy and fighting for snaps with Boobie Dixon, rookie Karlos Williams and Bryce Brown.
Jackson certainly has a shot to find work with another team. His on-field tape still looks better than plenty of younger backs, but it won't be easy for Bills fans to see him in an enemy jersey.
