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Associated Press 9y

Report: Bills, Josh McCown in talks

NFL, Buffalo Bills

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are negotiating to sign veteran free agent Josh McCown to address their long-standing needs at quarterback.

A person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press on Thursday that contract talks are taking place between the two sides. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills do not comment on contract discussions.

The negotiations began after the 35-year-old spent the previous two days visiting the Cleveland Browns. Two weeks ago, McCown spent two days meeting with Bills officials and touring Buffalo. He has also visited Chicago and the New York Jets.

McCown is a 12-year NFL veteran who went 1-10 in his only season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being released by the team earlier this month. Overall, he has a 17-32 career record split among six teams.

The Bills have several needs at quarterback under newly hired coach Rex Ryan.

EJ Manuel, who lost the starting job four weeks into last season, is the only experienced quarterback on the team's roster after journeyman Kyle Orton announced his intention to retire following the season. Ryan hasn't given up on Manuel, though McCown would be given a shot to compete for the starting job.

McCown, who spent the 2011-13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, is familiar with Aaron Kromer, Buffalo's new offensive line coach. Kromer was the Bears' offensive coordinator in 2013, when McCown went 3-2 filling in for injured starter Jay Cutler.

The Bills haven't ruled out adding at least two quarterbacks to their roster this offseason.

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