The Buffalo Bills have a new position battle to watch.
After the Bills topped the Indianapolis Colts, 23-19 in their preseason opener, head coach Sean McDermott said the quarterback job is open for the taking.
Not Josh Allen’s of course.
Behind QB1, it’s an open contest between Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley. That was declared by McDermott.
“Yes,” a definitive McDermott said post game.
That was highlighted by the action on the field, too. With Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs sitting out the Colts matchup, Kyle Allen started.
Allen signed a one-year deal in Buffalo this offseason. While the presumed second-string behind Josh Allen, the numbers said a different story on Saturday.
Allen was 8-for-15 against Indianapolis for 122 yards with an interception. Barkley was 14-for-15–Yes just one incompletion–for 172 yards with two touchdowns.
“I thought (the QB play) was kind of hot and cold at times. I thought we moved the ball at times and then we stalled out,” McDermott said.
But in a way, the one to slow the roll on Barkley being Allen’s backup? Barkley himself.
He admitted having much more experience in the Bills offense is huge.
“It’s nice when you’ve been in an offense longer than a year. You kind of get used to the calls and know what to expect,” Barkley said. “It was fun, just rolling.”
“The fact is, I’ve been here longer, so naturally I’m going to have a better understanding of everything,” Barkley added. “All that to say, I think (Kyle Allen has) done a great job of coming in and learning everything he can.”
Regardless, Barkley will still compete to be Allen’s backup by the time the preseason is all said and done.
A storyline to watch this upcoming week now as well: Who plays first in the Bills’ next preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Barkley or Allen?
[lawrence-related id=120665,120716,120672]