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Buffalo Bills: 3 questions at quarterback entering training camp

By Brandon Croce

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Josh Allen #17 and Matt Barkley #5 of the Buffalo Bills warm up before the game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Miami 31-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Josh Allen #17 and Matt Barkley #5 of the Buffalo Bills warm up before the game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Miami 31-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 29: Matt Barkley #5 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the ball during the third quarter against the New York Jets at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 13-6. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Could Matt Barkley start if the need were to arise?

When any team has a mobile quarterback, like Josh Allen, it is important to have good depth behind him due to an increased chance the starting quarterback could miss time due to injury. For the Buffalo Bills, the question is how confident they would be in Matt Barkley if he were forced to play for an extended period of time.

The Bills signed Matt Barkley midway through the 2018 season after they saw Josh Allen miss time due to injury and his backup at the time, Derek Anderson, also not be available to play. Barkley stepped in and actually had a good performance going 15 of 25 for 232 passing yards and two touchdowns against the New York Jets.

The team elected to bring him back after that season with a two-year deal and this past season Barkley didn’t have the same success as he did in 2018. He was forced to play the final quarter against the New England Patriots, going 9 of 16 for 127 passing yards and one interception.

The only other playing time Barkley had was in the final game of the regular season after the Bills pulled Josh Allen to give him some rest. In this game against the Jets, Barkley went 18 of 35 for 232 passing yards and two interceptions.

The question for the Buffalo Bills is are they confident turning to Matt Barkley if he is forced to step in and start for multiple games or should they look at potential options in free agency or through a trade.

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