Buffalo Bills 2019 Roster Outlook: The quarterbacks

Matt Barkley

When I first came up with the idea for this piece, one of my big talking points was going to be how the Bills should re-sign Matt Barkley in the offseason and what a great backup quarterback he would make for Josh Allen.

It appears they beat me to the punch.

Barkley signed a two-year extension on Friday, making him Allen’s backup for the foreseeable future. He has been everything and more the team has needed as a backup quarterback and mentor for Allen. His enthusiasm, experience and professionalism all go a long way for a young player like Josh.

Coming in off the streets and starting less than two weeks later, Barkley had one extremely impressive start against the New York Jets. He went 15/25 for 232 yards and two touchdowns in the 41-10 victory. In just a short amount of time, it is great to see that Barkley already has a firm grasp on the offense. If Allen was to go down with another injury, Barkley would be a worthy replacement and a known commodity.

In his six-year career, Barkley has seen the field for three different teams – with the Bills being one of them. Coming out of USC in 2013, the 6-foot-2, 227-pound quarterback was one in the running for the number one pick.

He was in a very forgettable quarterback class that saw the Bills draft EJ Manuel in the first round. Had he come out in 2012, there is a very good chance he would have been the No.1 overall pick. Instead he went in the fourth round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The journey from potential No. 1 pick to being picked apart is something that Allen can relate to. Plus Barkley played in a pro-style offense throughout his four-year collegiate career at one of the biggest football programs in the nation before he even began his six-year career in the league.

Overall, extending Barkley is a win-win for both parties. Buffalo gets a quarterback that isn’t a threat to take snaps away from the franchise quarterback, but one that is also able to support him and can step in and do an admirable job.

I love the re-signing and am pleased with the quarterback room moving forward.