Quarterback Matt Cassel among 5 players cut by Buffalo Bills

Things turned out a whole lot different with the regular season fast approaching as Cassel was one of five players released by Buffalo Saturday. Cassel, meanwhile, was the most expensive of the three quarterbacks with a $4.75 million cap hit for 2015. Chief among those players is Pro Bowl DT Marcell Dareus.

Tyrod Taylor was named the starter, and former Bills first-round pick EJ Manuel played well.

Waived were quarterback Matt Simms, offensive linemen Cyril Richardson, Darryl Johnson, Will Campbell, and Alex Kupper, fullback John Conner, wide receivers Andre Davis, Dezmin Lewis and Tobias Palmer, running backs Bronson Hill and Cierre Wood, defensive linemen IK Enemkpali, BJ Larsen, and Andre Fluellen, linebacker Quentin Groves, and cornerback Merril Noel.

It’s not a awful idea considering that Taylor has yet to start an National Football League game.

Coach Rex Ryan refused to discuss the team’s plans for a No. 2 quarterback. In his limited preseason action, Cassel completed 13 of 15 passes for 83 yards and no touchdowns.

Manuel showed enough this offseason to convince the team he’s worth keeping and developing and will be the first off the bench if Taylor struggles or gets injured.

Arguably the best season Cassel had as a professional was in 2008, when he led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record while Tom Brady sat the year out with a knee injury he suffered in Week 1.