TJ Yates is a Sensible Signing by the Buffalo Bills
By Cole Shelton
The Buffalo Bills added some competition to their backup quarterback position this offseason when they added TJ Yates.
TJ Yates isn’t the flashiest quarterback name, nor was he one of the top available, but the signing definitely makes sense for the Buffalo Bills. It was clear that there was a need for a leader and veteran to come in and mentor Cardale Jones and to a lesser extent Tyrod Taylor.
That is exactly what Yates will be for the Buffalo Bills. He won’t compete for the starting job, rather sliding into the backup or 3rd string role and being a veteran leader.
Yates comes to Buffalo after being drafted in the 5th round of the 2011 draft by the Houston Texans, where he was mostly the backup until an injury led him to start and win a playoff game. After 3 seasons in Houston, the Texans traded him to Atlanta, where he would backup Matt Ryan.
Following his one season in Atlanta, Yates went back to Houston and tore his ACL, making him miss most of the season. He would then get picked up by the Dolphins in December.
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Yates is a journeyman, there is no question about that, but that just adds to his veteran presence which will be huge for a rookie head coach. As well, Yates previously played under now Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, where he played under him for his first three seasons in Houston.
There, the two led the Texans to the playoffs and a playoff win.
As for where TJ Yates fits into the depth chart, he and Cardale Jones will have a mini competition to see who the backup quarterback will be behind Tyrod Taylor.
There’s still a possibility the Buffalo Bills draft a quarterback, like Mitchell Trubisky, which would make the QB depth chart a tricky situation for Yates and Jones.
If he does end up making the team it will be good for the Buffalo Bills, Cardale Jones and Tyrod Taylor to have the veteran TJ Yates in that quarterback room.
Next: What the Buffalo Bills' Depth Chart Looks Like Right Now
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