Doug Marrone opts out of contract, done as Buffalo Bills' co

[JohnTurney]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... 05211.html

Marrone out as Bills coach — by choice
[sports.yahoo.com]

Doug Marrone opts out of contract, done as Buffalo Bills' coach

There's always at least one crazy firing in the NFL offseason. Except, Doug Marrone wasn't really fired.

He just opted out.



Marrone is out as Buffalo Bills coach, and that was his choice. According to a statement by the Buffalo Bills just a few hours before the calendar turned to 2015, he opted out of his contract after two years as head coach. Marrone is now a free agent, and can pursue another job. Before Marrone opted out, there were five NFL head-coaching openings. Now there are six.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported that Marrone walks away with his 2015 salary of $4 million "without it counting as an offset against any future salary." The out clause in his contract activated if the Bills changed ownership, which happened when Terry Pegula bought the team.

Within minutes, there was speculation that the New York Jets would have a strong interest in Marrone. The Jets' division rivals are unexpectedly looking for a new coach.

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[Veeshik_ya]

Not saying it's never happened before, but walking away from one of 32 jobs in the world is very unusual. Has to be more to the story here. No doubt Peter King will have the inside scoop on Monday (King is no Dr. Z in terms of real football knowledge but when it comes to league politics he's the man).

I feel for the Bills' new owner, who seems like a good guy who actually loves his football team. Many times rich guys buy a toy and lack the passion, but he seems like a good owner to work for, keeping the Bills in Buffalo, terminating the Toronto contract, etc.

They need a QB, but they have a great defense, a great defensive coordinator, and, seemingly, a great owner. Could be a nice environment brewing in Buffalo for the right coach.

[BD Sullivan]

Given his Bronx roots and the Jets' need for a coach, that seems likely to be his next destination.

[ChrisBabcock]

I wonder if he didn't want to head into another offseason with uncertainty at the QB position. He obviously had no clue about Orton's intentions or else he wouldn't have started him in week 17.