When former Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone opted out of his contract to coach the team Wednesday, he reportedly did not communicate the news to his players until several hours after his decision became public, according to NFL Network.

When former Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone opted out of his contract to coach the team Wednesday, he reportedly did not communicate the news to his players until several hours after his decision became public, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network.

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Bills owner Terry Pegula issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying Marrone had just informed him of his decision to opt out, and saying he was "disappointed" Marrone would no longer be with the team. Marrone did not tell his players about his decision until later that evening.

Marrone was targeted as a potential replacement for Rex Ryan in New York by Jets owner Woody Johnson six minutes after the news of Marrone opting out of his contract was broken, the New York Daily News reports, suggesting Marrone left Buffalo with the Jets job already lined up. Johnson told the Daily News he did not know of Marrone's availability "until later."

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The Jets fired general manager John Idzik and Ryan on Monday after a 4-12 season.

The Bills just missed the playoffs and finished with a 9-7 record, the team's best win-loss mark since the 2004 season. Marrone went 15-17 with Buffalo over two seasons.

- Will Green