The Buffalo Bills released former starter Trent Edwards today. After trying to trade him since the offseason, it seems Buffalo has finally decided to cut their losses and outright released him. Edwards will remain on the waiver wire until 4pm Tuesday, at which point he will be free to negotiate with any team he chooses.
The waiver wire hasn't been reset yet and is still based on the draft standings, so if the Jaguars want Edwards as their backup, they shouldn't have too much of an issue claiming him.
Edwards was taken in the 3rd round by the Bills in 2007 and has been their on again off again starter since then. However, since Week 3 the Bills have settled with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and have decided to cut all ties with Edwards.
Looking at Edwards stats, they're fairly comparable to what Luke McCown put up before Gene Smith decided to trade for McCown. Edwards best year as a starter came in 2008 when he threw for 2,699 yards, 11TDs, 10 INTs, and had a passer rating of 85.4. Consequently, that was the only season Edwards started the majority of the games for the Bills. His only two appearences in 2010 won't do much to inspire confidence, being sacked 7 times, throwing 2 INTs, and barely completing 50% of his passes.
As for what he could bring the Jaguars, first off he would allow the team to function if Garrard gets hurt/has another melt down. As others have said, it's an indictment on Todd Bouman that he never sniffed the field despite how terrible David Garrard played. If Bouman ever had to play any extended time as the Jaguars QB, the idea of offensive balance would be a 50/50 split between running left or right.
Edwards on the other hand would be a serviceable QB who has starting experience. Would he be a world beater? Absolutely not, and no one in their right mind should be thinking that. What he would allow for is the Jaguars to have a competent back up, and perhaps even a guy to push David Garrard.
Is Edwards a QB for the future? No. Is he a backup for now? Yes.