Buffalo Bills made decision to bench Tyrod Taylor “weeks ago”

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) — The Buffalo Bills are moving on from its coach and its quarterback.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported that the Bills made the decision to “move on” from Tyrod Taylor weeks ago. The quarterback was benched for Week 17 and could need groin surgery. He was not on the team’s final injury report. Interim coach Anthony Lynn said Taylor served a “veteran’s day” off on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Mike Rodak. The Bills fired Rex Ryan Tuesday.

The Buffalo News reported that Taylor has been dealing with a “severe groin injury” for a month. E.J. Manuel will start the Bills’ Week 17 contest.

“It was a business decision,” Lynn told reporters. “We want to look at the depth of our quarterback position.”

“I can’t speak for the owner. I can’t speak for the GM. They’ll have to speak for themselves.”

Rodak reported that he does not expect the Bills to renegotiate Taylor’s deal this offseason. Taylor signed a six-year, $92 million contract in August. If the Bills do nothing to alter his current deal, he will make $29 million next season.

The Bills would owe Taylor $30.75 million if he doesn’t pass a physical before the next league year, which could explain why the team doesn’t want him to play against the New York Jets and suffer further injury.

Taylor, 27, completed 269-of-436 passes for 3,023 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. He also ran for 580 yards and six scores. The 2015 Pro-Bowl selection threw 20 touchdowns against six interceptions last season, while rushing for four scores. He has been sacked a league-high 42 times in 2016.

Taylor blew off reporters Friday.

Bills fans were outraged Friday afternoon when the Bills released a highlight clip on Twitter with no mention of Taylor.

The Bills battle the Jets at 1 p.m. Sunday in an AFC East contest at MetLife Stadium.