Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen looking to have his best season in 2023 – tipofthetower.com
With one of their backup quarterbacks being released on Monday and the other turning 33 years old next year, now is the time for the Buffalo Bills to look for their next backup in command.
Case Keenum just signed with the Houston Texans and father time is crawling up on the former USC signal caller, Matt Barkley. With free agency opening up this week, who should be second in command behind John Allen?
Sitting Backup Quarterback
Barkley is making $1,250,000, and he didn’t see any time on the field this past season. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
While he is not getting any younger, let’s take a look at who is out there and could be next in line:
San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance (5) looking to pass the ball – Canandannewsmedia.ca
Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers)
In my opinion, this originally seemed like a long shot, but the number 3 overall pick in 2022 is recovering from a right ankle injury that paved the way for Brock Purdy to start for the 49ers the rest of the year. Lance is like Allen as he is great at the RPO and the read option with a cannon for an arm.
Carolina Panthers QB Matt Corral (9) passing the ball in preseason against the Washington Commanders – Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports
Matt Corral (Carolina Panthers)
This too seemed like a fantasy, as Corral was in-line to start opening day last year over Darnold for the Panthers. In 2022, a costly Lisfranc foot injury in a preseason game against the New England Patriots caused him to miss the rest of his rookie season.
A year later, The Panthers are looking to trade the young, but talented arm out of Ole Miss. The Bills may be willing to trade a low costly asset for Corral.
The 2022 third-rounder currently has (no recorded stats available) in the NFL.
Drew Lock (Seattle Seahawks)
The former starter from the Denver Broncos may want to start looking for a new home after the Seahawks signed starting quarterback Geno Smith to a fresh 3-year, $105 million deal that makes him the current starter for the near term.
This should be a warning sign that a new beginning is on the horizon for Lock and that just may be in Orchard Park New York in Buffalo behind a winning quarterback in Josh Allen.
Lock did not play in any regular season games in Seattle last year.
Minnesota Vikings QB Kyle Sloter (1) played for the Vikings in 2018 – Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
(Wildcard Pick) Kyle Sloter (Arlington Renegades XFL)
After watching Sunday’s XFL game between the Arlington Renegades and the St. Louis BattleHawks, I figured, why can’t someone from the XFL whose background playing in the NFL preseason be second in command behind Josh Allen?
Sloter is a leader of men who pumps the guys up on the sidelines and in the huddle when calling the plays when mic’d up. He is also a calm interviewer and stays even-keeled as Allen does.
Just like Allen, Sloter is what we Bills fans call, a “McDermott Guy.” He can run the Bills’ pass-heavy offense and has a very quick release, along with great character.
Right now, Sloter has a 78.3 completion %, along with two touchdowns and one interception in the XFL.
Final Thoughts
In being a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, what I was impressed with for this season was Allen staying healthy for all 17 regular season competitions and through their two playoff games.
This way, Keenum and Barkley never had to come in and start a regular season or playoff game. Keenum only made one appearance in garbage time during a 38-3 win over the Pittsburg Steelers in Buffalo. I happened to be at that game.
Hopefully they sign another quarterback, as I feel that Barkley’s time is up in Buffalo. I wouldn’t be disappointed if they drafted a later-round player, known as a “day 3 project” quarterback in April for Second in Command.
