Tarvaris Jackson released by Bills

The Bills cut quarterback Tarvaris Jackson on Monday. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills have released backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, the team announced on Monday, seemingly making rookie EJ Manuel's road to the starting job a little smoother.

The Bills announced their decision just fewer than four months after they re-signed Jackson to a one-year deal that would have paid him an additional $1.75 million if he appeared on the Bills' opening-game roster.

Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone had Jackson and quarterback Kevin Kolb split first-team reps during organized team activities this spring. Though Kolb will be the clear favorite to earn the starting job heading into training camp, Manuel — the 16th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft — will now likely earn some time with the first team.

Jackson has been a backup throughout much of his seven-year career, which has included stops with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and the Bills. He has a 17-17 career record in games he's started, and he has thrown 38 touchdowns and 35 interceptions in 52 career games.