The Buffalo Bills are in the market for a new starting quarterback after releasing Ryan Fitzpatrick Tuesday afternoon. As YNN's Ryan Whalen reports, the Bills General Manager unintentionally let fans know which way the team was leaning hours earlier.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — For many fans in Western New York, Bills Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had worn out his welcome.

"He was a good guy but the Bills aren't getting the job done. They haven't got the job done since 1999," said Emily Horn, Orchard Park. "He was horrible. He didn't make smart decisions on the field and I felt like every time we had the opportunity to do something good, he screwed it up. So I'm thrilled he's gone."

Fans say they weren't surprised when the Bills released Fitzpatrick on Tuesday shortly after the NFL's free agent signing period began.

"He didn't want to restructure his deal. He didn't perform up to the standard we thought he would when he signed him so I think it's the right deal," said James Ehrman, Amherst.

Of course, General Manager Buddy Nix tipped his hand to just about everybody when he fell victim to a prank.

"We just can't afford to pay that kind of money for a guy who's fighting for probably a backup job."

Nix and another NFL GM discussed Fitzpatrick's poor play on a secretly recorded phone call. Deadspin.com released the call Tuesday.

"I can't blame him. It has to do with how old he is and just how easily duped he was into falling into something most other teams probably wouldn't have fallen for," said Mark P., Buffalo.

While fans called it embarrassing, they weren't sure if the conversation led to Tuesday's events.

"About an hour later, Fitzpatrick was gone so I did the math and it seemed to work that way," said Mark.

"It was going to happen regardless. He'll find a home, just not in Buffalo," said another fan.