Best Available Backup Quarterbacks For Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills backup quarterback room is a bit underwhelming. And while it may be nonsensical to stress over 2nd and 3rd string QBs during the preseason, it's better to worry about this now before, say, a critical playoff run with an injured Josh Allen.
The 2024 preseason has given us two glimpses of the Bill backups thus far with Mitchell Trubisky and Shane Buechele. After going 2/3 for 22 yards, an over-competitive Allen was then swapped in the 2nd half for the Trubisky and Buechele carousel. Buechele threw an interception and finished 6/10 on pass attempts for 53 yards, while the former Bears quarterback completed ten passes on 18 attempts for 82 yards on the day. No touchdowns were thrown, and Buechele left the game with a season-ending injury.
A similar story, minus the JA17 appearance, unfolded on Saturday (Aug. 17). With Buechele out for the remainder of the preseason, the Bills acquired and played 27-year-old Ben DiNucci but to no success. DiNucci struggled on the field, going 3/5 for 20 yards and even being sacked by undrafted rookie free agent Julius Welschof—the sack which became his first in his career. Mitchell Trubisky didn't fare any better, going 9/13 for 83 yards and a solid interception. Making matters worse, Trubisky would also suffer a knee injury during their win 9-3 over the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving doubt for his preseason and regular season future–that, plus, he isn't any good.
So, what should the Bills do to fill their back quarterback needs? We have an idea. Here are two of the best free-agent quarterbacks on the market right now.
Ryan Tannehill
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The Bills could revamp their QB room by adding 12-year NFL veteran Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill spent the last few years as the starter for the Tennessee Titans before he was released in the spring. Tannehill has experience in big games, currently rocking a 2-3 record in the NFL Playoffs.
It could be promising and frankly reassuring for Bills Mafia if they could land someone with as much experience and the best possible skill set available to them in the free agent market. However, with Ryan Tannehill's history of being a starting quarterback who has played the game in the playoffs, he's probably looking for a situation where he can fulfill that role once more.
Whoever is available after Cut Day
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Okay, so getting a solid QB2 will require Sean McDermott to hope that something better comes along. Other than Tannehill, the QB free agency market is looking grim. Names like Blaine Gabbert, Brian Hoyer, Trevor Siemian, A.J. McCarron, Kellen Mond, and others are ready to join any team looking for a backup. But here's the issue: they're not really that good.
McDermott, being a faith-based coach, could pray to the universe that someone more promising could play behind Western New York's golden child. A name like Bailey Zappe from the Bills' bitter AFC East rival, New England, could become available after cut day on Tuesday (Aug. 27).
Zappe is currently QB4 behind rookie sensation Drake Maye, veteran Jacoby Brissett, and dark horse Joe Milton III, and it's not looking too good for him. If the Buffalo Bills don't land Zappe, it could be all eyes on Mitchell Trubisky again. Let's pray for Sean McDermott and our beloved Bills.
