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Buffalo Bills top-5 cost-effective veteran contracts

By Avery Duncan

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 25: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field on November 25, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Jacksonville 24-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 25: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field on November 25, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Jacksonville 24-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 11: Matt Barkley #5 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 11, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 11: Matt Barkley #5 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 11, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

5. Matt Barkley – QB

Contract: $4 million over two years, signed in 2018

Cap hit in 2019: $1.7 million

The Bills found their guy at quarterback in Josh Allen. They may have also found their guy behind him in Matt Barkley. When Allen went down week five, the team cycled through Nathan Peterman and Derek Anderson, then gave Barkley a shot heading into week ten. In his one game of action, he led a convincing win against the Jets (41-10) by throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns on a 60% completion rate.

Six weeks after beating the Jets, the Bills decided to reward the 28-year-old’s efforts to the tune of $4 million over two years. The choice to extend him was easy; he looked comfortable in the offense in his lone start, has a strong arm, and is young. Anderson’s retirement then paved the way for Barkley to take over as the backup.

A team is only as good as its backup quarterback. The Bills appear to have a solid one in Barkley — a man once considered to be the No. 1 pick — on an affordable deal. In 2019, Barkley will be the 34th highest paid player on the Bills, considering the importance of his position, and their lack of depth behind him, that’s an excellent value.

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