Potential Buffalo Bills quarterback targets ahead of Week 3

The Buffalo Bills have been unlucky at quarterback behind Josh Allen. Since preseason started, they’ve lost Shane Buechele to season-ending injured reserve and Mitch Trubisky to an undisclosed knee injury. The Bills signed Ben Dinucci to replace Buechele but may look to the free agent market again to get them through this final preseason game. While it’s unclear if Trubisky will miss an extended period of time, or if they’re looking for a replacement, the available quarterbacks are slim. 

Buffalo hasn’t shown a willingness much over the years to part with their draft picks. And with an emphasis on the youth movement this off-season, their projected eight draft picks likely won’t be moved. Now, Bills fans have to get familiarized with available quarterbacks for the second straight week. Let’s take a look at three free agents the Bills could sign to either replace Trubisky or just get them through the Carolina Panthers game. 

Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill, 36 years old, is the best available quarterback on the market. If the Bills view Mitch Trubisky’s injury as a long-term issue, Tannehill could come in as a cheap backup who, unlike these other quarterbacks, has plenty of starting experience. Buffalo won’t find a quarterback who could step in and lead the team the way Josh Allen does. Those kinds of players aren’t sitting on the couch in mid-August. What Buffalo does want, however, is someone competent enough to lead the team and keep them afloat in the event he does need to step in. Spotrac projects Tannehill’s contract to be a one-year deal worth $7.7M. While that’s a little over the Bills' price range, Tannehill may accept a smaller deal since we’re so close to the season. 

Matt Barkley

Barkley is somebody who has plenty of experience in this offense and is somebody that Josh Allen trusts. The familiarity at quarterback is something that this regime values, and that shows with Trubisky’s second go-around here, and the reason why Matt Barkley continuously gets called every year. The Bills generally like to keep a third quarterback on the practice squad, with Shane Beuchele having that role last year and Matt Barkley the year prior. Barkley could come in and assume that position again this time around. 

Trevor Siemian

Siemian isn’t much of a household name, but he does come with starting experience over his eight years in the league. Most recently starting three games for the New York Jets in 2023, Siemian totaled 724 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Siemian is another guy who will come in and be a strong practice squad candidate. At 32 years old, Siemian doesn’t have much of a future left in the league and has shown to be comfortable taking any backup job. The Bills could come calling soon to let Siemian fight for a practice squad role with Ben Dinucci.