The Los Angeles Chargers have acquired Bills second-year quarterback Cardale Jones in a trade that sends a conditional draft pick back to Buffalo. A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the draft pick is conditional for the seventh round.
Jones appeared in only one game as a rookie last season for the Bills, completing 6 of 11 passes for 96 yards in a Week 17 loss to the New York Jets.
The Ohio State product is familiar with new Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, as Lynn served as Buffalo's interim head coach at the end of last season. Jones also is joining ex-Buckeyes teammates Joey Bosa and Joshua Perry in Los Angeles.
Jones took to Twitter to share his excitement about heading to Southern California, as well as to thank the Bills and their fans.
Excited for the new start, can't wait to get to work @Chargers ⚡️
— Cardale Jones (@Cardale7_) July 26, 2017
Big thanks to @buffalobills and #BillsMafia for showing me nothing but love & support my during my brief time with the organization
— Cardale Jones (@Cardale7_) July 26, 2017
Los Angeles, which has incumbent quarterback Philip Rivers in place as the team's top signal-caller, privately worked out quarterback Robert Griffin III on Tuesday. Although the workout reportedly went well, the team executed the trade with the Bills instead of signing Griffin.
Rivers, who will turn 36 in December, is signed through the 2019 season, so Jones gives the Chargers a developmental prospect to nurture behind the veteran NC State product. Since Rivers became the starter in 2006, he has made every start for the Chargers. The only other QB in the league who can make that claim is Eli Manning of the New York Giants. Coincidentally, the two were traded for each other on draft day.
Kellen Clemens has served as the Chargers' backup at quarterback over the past two seasons. Los Angeles also has two developmental prospects on the roster in Mike Bercovici and Eli Jenkins. The Chargers have not drafted a quarterback since 2013, when they took Brad Sorensen in the seventh round.
The Bills' trading Jones does not come as a surprise, after he was given limited reps with the offense during organized team activities and minicamp this spring.
Entering training camp, Jones appeared to be fourth on Buffalo's quarterback depth chart behind starter Tyrod Taylor, veteran T.J. Yates and 2017 fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman.
Yates, who signed a free-agent deal with the Bills this offseason, was coached by current Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison from 2011 to 2013 with the Houston Texans. Yates took the majority of second-team reps in practices this spring.
ESPN's Eric D. Williams and Mike Rodak contributed to this report.