Bills head coach Sean McDermott goes into his second year with the team with a major stressful situation on his hands; who will start at quarterback in Week 1? After the Bills shipped Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns, the team only had Nathan Peterman and Joe Webb as their quarterbacks (until Webb signed with the Texans).
To help bring some stability onto the roster, the team signed A.J. McCarron in free agency and then traded up in the draft to draft Wyoming product Josh Allen. This core is much more different than last season and it can be argued as better or worse.
With the season rapidly approaching, McDermott already has a lot on his plate. The biggest item on that plate is picking his starter under center. Allen, McCarron and Peterman will have the chance to compete for the starting job. An open competition is what the Bills need and they need it badly. All three quarterbacks bring pros and cons to the table. It’ll be up to McDermott to decide which one he’ll put his confidence in.
Start Allen Right Away?
After trading up to draft Allen, the Bills could put Allen on the field right from the beginning. If this move is made, it will the first time a Bills rookie quarterback gets the start in a long time. Allen will be put to the test to see how his accuracy places. There can be an argument that his accuracy could be the deal breaker when it comes to naming a starter.
Let McCarron Mentor The Young Ones?
McCarron served as Andy Dalton’s backup in Cincinnati since he was drafted by the team in 2014. In 2015, McCarron did get the chance to play in seven games including a playoff game. He finished the regular season with 854 yards and six touchdowns. In his playoff game, he threw for 212 yards, one touchdown and one interception. McCarron was unable to get the Bengals into the second round.
McCarron has more experience than Allen and Peterman. He could be that “bridge quarterback” and serve as a mentor to them. McCarron knows the competition than the other two and McDermott could go with safer route and let McCarron take the reigns.
Give Peterman Another Chance?
Peterman has played in four games for the Bills in one season. Only two of those games he started from the game. One was one to forget against the Chargers, and he was injured against the Colts and Joe Webb had to fill in, in the snowy blizzard. He was only a rookie and he might improve his game before this upcoming season.
It’s more than likely Peterman will compete for the second string job, but with this open competition, it’s anyone’s to win and Peterman has the chance.
Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the Buffalo Bills. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and @FPC_Bills for Bills coverage.
