AP

The Bills have made their decision, and it’s one no one would have expected this offseason.

According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Bills are going with Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback for the regular season opener.

They gave EJ Manuel a courtesy start in the preseason, and the prevailing sentiment early in the process was that veteran Matt Cassel might be the safe choice.

But the Bills are going with the guy who gives them a chance to make plays on the ground as well as in the air. It’s a bit of a surprise, but it also underscores how thin the line is there between the contestants.

Taylor has never started an NFL game and only appeared in 14 in four seasons as a backup in Baltimore, with just 35 pass attempts