Kyle Allen or Matt Barkley: The Bills QB2 Debate

When the Buffalo Bills signed quarterback, Kyle Allen to backup Josh Allen in March, it was presumed that he was a lock for the QB2 slot.  Case Keenum, who was Josh Allen’s backup in 2022 had left for the Texans and Matt Barkley, the QB3, had been a practice squad quarterback since 2020.

Prior to training camp, Kyle Allen was slated to be the guy.  Nearly a month later, there are doubts in many Bills fans minds that a bona fide QB2 is on the current Bills roster because of his inability to pick up on Bills Offensive Coordinator, Ken Dorsey’s offense.

During the Bills first preseason game versus the Colts last Saturday, it was apparent Kyle Allen still had to play a lot of catch-up to make believers of Bills Mafia that he is ready to come in and spell Josh Allen should he need to miss time.

Kyle Allen played with the Bills first-string offense (minus Stefon Diggs) and for the most part was ineffective, going 8-15 for 122 yards and 1 interception.  Granted, he also played against the Colts 1^st string defense, Kyle Allen looked lost at times.

In Allen’s relief, Matt Barkley went 14-15 for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns. Again, this was against the Colts backups and 3^rd stringers, but Matt Barkley’s confidence and knowledge of the Dorsey offense was apparent.

During his Tuesday presser, Ken Dorsey stated that Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley graded similarly in the Colts game, even though Barkley’s numbers were better.

Is the answer to the Bills QB2 a free agent right now?  Perhaps, but remember that any outside quarterback that would come to the Bills would have to learn the Bills offense on the fly—and with less than four weeks until the Bills first game against the Jets that might not be realistic.

As it stands right now, Kyle Allen is still the QB2behind Josh Allen.  One preseason game where Kyle Allen played against a first-string Colts defense and was mediocre at best should not deter the Bills coaching staff from demoting him behind Matt Barkley, who shined, but against 2^nd and 3^rdstring Colts defenders.

The next two preseason games will be telling. Will Kyle Allen continue to progress and earn the QB2spot? Will Matt Barkley overtake him? Or will the Bills look to make a move elsewhere?