Buffalo Bills position room preview: Quarterback

The backup: Matt Barkley

When both Josh Allen and Derek Anderson nursed injuries, the Bills signed then-free agent Matt Barkley to fill in as a stopgap starter. In his first and only start as a Bill, Barkley shined against the Jets in their week 10 matchup. He won the game 41-10 and threw for an efficient 232 yards and two touchdowns on a 60% completion rate.

Barkley’s impressive one-game performance earned him a re-up on his contract after the season ended. The 28-year-old USC product signed a two-year deal for $4 million deal with the Bills. After Anderson retired in the off-season, most figure Barkley to be their answer at backup quarterback.

Bills Mafia should be glad to see Barkley’s return in Buffalo. His strong-arm should supplement Allen’s stronger arm well, while he also appeared comfortable in Brian Daboll’s offense. Though he didn’t get his contract paid in BitCoin as he requested, he’s been a fan of Buffalo, as he told WGR 550;

"I love it here. Probably my favorite, just culture, that I’ve been in so far, where guys are playing for each other, believe in each other, and what coach McDermott is building is very unique, I think, among the NFL. The situation as a whole here has been in my favor, for whatever reason."

Barkley hopes to be Allen’s version of Frank Reich. He’s a solid backup quarterback that should fill in well if need be. Hopefully, we won’t have to see much of him for the next two years of his contract. Similar to Reich backing up Jim Kelly, we’d rather see more of the promising Allen than his backup.