Is Fred Jackson’s Time With Buffalo in Jeopardy?

He’s one of the more popular players in Buffalo Bills history, but could Fred Jackson’s future with the team be in jeopardy?

Quite possibly.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports the Bills are interested in signing Jets running back Bilal Powel, and Mehta cites sources that say while the Jets are trying to re-sign him, Powell is “leaning towards a Rex (Ryan) reunion in Buffalo.”

Of course, this comes on the heels of Buffalo trading Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Lesean McCoy, which becomes official Tuesday. The Bills sweetened the pot Sunday by giving McCoy a reported new deal that pays him $40 million over five years, including $26 million guaranteed.

Jackson is 34-years old and in the final year of a contract due to pay him $2.73 million in 2014, none of that guaranteed. With McCoy in the fold Jackson’s already looking at reduced workload.

If the team also signs Powell, it’s certain to push either he or Bryce Brown out the door.

Brown, 23, is also in the final season of a two-year deal but is only due $660k for 2015.

There’s no way the Bills keep four tailbacks on the roster. Boobie Dixon is under contract for two more seasons, brings exceptional value on special teams and is a capable short yardage back.  He also has a cap hit of just $1.26 million thisseason and $1.36 million for 2016. He’s not going anywhere.

That leaves Jackson or Brown on the outside looking in---if Powell ends up in Buffalo.

On the field Jackson led the Bills last season in both rushing yards (525) and receptions (66).   The undrafted free agent from tiny Coe College has rushed for 5.646 yards and caught 322 passes for 2,640 yards while finding the end zone 37 times during his eight-year career.

His underdog back story, production on the field and accountability off it has made Jackson beloved in the community. Releasing him is a move that would surely not go over well with fans. Jackson is still an asset to the team and could be even more effective than year’s past as a complimentary back to McCoy.

But there’s also a reality to face—Jackson is 34 and has needed to overcome a litany of injuries over the past few seasons.  He’s clearly the better back than Brown, but Brown is younger, $2.1 million cheaper and easier to shelve as a game-day inactive than Jackson ever would be.

I find it interesting with the Bills having bigger needs at offensive line, linebacker, safety and tight end that there’s strong talk of adding Powell.   That clearly tells me Rex Ryan isn’t satisfied with what’s behind McCoy.  Buffalo wouldn’t bother sacrificing cap space to sign Powell as a third running back. He made $1.53 million with the Jets and I can’t see him taking less to come to Buffalo.

If Powell signs with the Bills, that’s news that doesn’t bode well for either Jackson or Brown.