Examining the never-ending search for the Buffalo Bills QB2

With the injury suffered by expected QB3 Shane Buchele putting him on season-ending injured reserve, the Buffalo Bills needed to add another name to the pit. They chose to sign former UFL and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci. DiNucci adds his name to a rather lengthy list of current and former Bills backup quarterbacks. But what value does that 'QB2' position truly provide?

Back Up To The Backups Past

From the now-fabled Matt 'Bitcoin' Barkley to the darkest mark in our team's dubious history in Nathan Peterman, a plethora of players have backed up Josh Allen over his six seasons as an NFL starter. There may well be more names added this season. It's been a role that has shifted in it's need over the course of the Allen era. From 2018, when Buffalo wasn't sure the baby-faced boy would even hit the field yet and needed a QB who could start for the season, they placed their faith in Nathan Peterman, again. Misguided, perhaps, but their intent was clear.

When they moved in on Matt Barkley, it was for the same reasons, but as 2019 came along they kept him. Not to play, no, but to be the voice in Josh Allen's ear. His role transitioned from QB2 extraordinaire to veteran backup, a man who could temper Josh Allen by meeting him at his level, to be leant upon as his growing pains progressed. It was a role Buffalo desperately needed.

""They’ve taught me a lot. From the time I got hurt in the Houston game to the point now, I definitely feel like I’m a better quarterback because of them" - Josh Allen on Matt Barkley and Derek Anderson, 2018"

- Via Matt Parrino, New York Upstate

The Matt Barkley QB2 era in Buffalo was a success but, as Allen grew into the quarterback he was meant to be, the need for that veteran in his ear dwindled. Allen had turned himself into a supernova, knocking the doors down in 2020. The Bills were instant Super Bowl contenders. With all his success on the field, and the large target on his back, Josh Allen was more of an injury risk than a risky QB. Buffalo needed to ensure that, in the case he missed a few snaps or even a game here or there, the team had a competent QB to field the offense. They found their answer in Mitchell Trubisky.

In 2021, Trubisky was expected to go somewhere to compete for a starting job but decided to take a year out and 'become the best version of himself' in Buffalo. Shortly after the signing, Brandon Beane took to a Zoom press conference to discuss the move.

""Physically very talented, athletically he can do some of the same things that Josh can do with the RPOs that Brian Daboll will use in this offense" - Breandon Beane on signing Mitchell Trubisky, 2021"

- Via Sal Maiorana, Democrat And Chronicle

The philosophical shift was immediate and obvious. No longer was the backup there to hold the hand and coach Josh Allen. Now was the time to hold his gym bag and wait for him to win it. In the event there was an injury, or a blowout where Allen was no longer needed, Trubisky was there to run the offense. That's all they asked. 'Can you run this offense the way we have designed it for Josh?'.

They followed up in 2022 with Case Keenum, who's prior connection with then-Bills receiver Stefon Diggs was likely a factor. Comfort and familiarity with the players was a minor change in direction, and it didn't pan out. Keenum was a liability and his time in on the field was thankfully minimal. In 2023, Kyle Allen was back to a more Josh-like mould. The direction they took was once again renewed, as a player who can run this offense as a 1-for-1 replacement of Allen was the priority. Like Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, it was a point made to fit.

The Future Of QB2

This is how the team must approach the QB2 position for now, and the foreseeable future; that much has been made clear. The issue is with the level of available talent at the role. The team has returned to Trubisky, this time on a two-year contract, as his starting days seem over for the time being. A semi-physical quarterback, and one who has undoubted chemsitry with Allen, Trubisky will be fine. Still, another rough outing in preseason could see him replaced by Ben DiNucci. Another player of similar traits (though a vastly different career path), DiNucci offers little difference.

Still, despite moving laterally and at times backwards, the Buffalo Bills are doing this correctly. Having to rework an entire offense and how it's called to fit some other QB is hugely detrimental to the way we play football. It ultimately doesn't work in the favour of any player or coach, who then has to go back to the way things were again when Allen returns. Redefining the offense on the fly is a big risk, and leaves the whole unit open to reflective error. A QB2 of comparable skillsets (despite the obvious and inevitable talent discrepancy) mitigates this issue.

It doesn't just help on the field, either. The philosophy benefits the entire team. Sure, there's no more shifting of the groove midseason if catastrophe strikes, but there's another boon. Having the entire roster practicing in tune with the starting units lends added quality of depth to the team. If all players, regardless of value or role, hold greater comfort in their expectations when thrown into a contributing role, they find themselves better prepared for the moment their number gets called. The natural feeling of fitting into the offense, that fabled 'plug-and-play' that we have yet to see truly displayed at the professional level, is a benefit that is intangible. A cliché? Certainly. But not an incorrect one.

The Next Man Up

We're still left with the unenviable task of actually finding the long-term backup to shore up the QB room. The musical chairs approach does the team no favours. Carousels may be fun but we're all feeling a little sick after this lengthy ride. How do the Buffalo Bills solve this issue?

Drafting one is the solution.. There have been viable late-draft candidates year after year who could be brought in to sit behind Josh Allen and mirror him. Joe Milton of Tennessee was ideal, eventually selected in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Jack Plummer of Louisville was an option too, picked up as a UDFA by Carolina this year.

The NFL standard for what a quarterback has to do has changed momumentally in just a few short years. College athletes will be meeting these standards with greater frequency, and there will certainly be ones available. If they bust out, the risk was limited, and an acceptable veteran can always step up if needed, as they have before. But, the potential of cheaply and effectively drafting a QB capable of sitting behind Allen and copying him is viable. When the 2025 NFL draft rolls around, the Bills will be holding eight draft picks, including two sixth-rounders. Take a swing, and spend the salary cap on actual impact players instead.