By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills will likely be without quarterback AJ McCarron for an extended period.
After struggling during his turn with the first-team offense, things went from bad to worse for McCarron. Reports indicate he has a collarbone injury and could miss several weeks.On Sunday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said McCarron is getting a second opinion on the injury.
That means Nathan Peterman or rookie Josh Allen will start opening day, a decision that will need to be made in the near future. Without McCarron, Buffalo could roll with only two quarterbacks. Or they could add another.
Here are free agent quarterbacks the Bills could consider signing:
Ryan Mallett
Once an understudy of Tom Brady, Mallett’s currently a free agent and a possible short-term option. He’s similar to McCarron in a sense of never really getting much of an opportunity to start, aside from one season (2015) while with Houston, due to injury.
But his time under Brady is the key here, not because of Brady, but Brian Daboll, Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, was in New England as an offensive assistant while Mallett was there.
Matt Moore
In 2011, Moore and Daboll were hanging out together in Miami. Moore was the Dolphins backup quarterback during Daboll’s tenure as an offensive coordinator there.
Not only that, Moore started 12 games during that time, throwing for 2,497 yards and 16 touchdowns.
TJ Yates
Yates is a former Bill, brought in by McDermott last season, although it was short-lived as Peterman, at that time, beat him out to be Tyrod Taylor’s then-backup. Yates was also injured in the preseason prior to being released.
However, Daboll was not Buffalo’s offensive coordinator then, Rick Dennison was.
Kellen Clemons
Clemons has two appealing traits. He’s a 12-year vet. Most recently McCarron was the most seasoned QB Buffalo had, so if he’s out for awhile, maybe Clemons can replace him for the rest of the year. Also, way back in 2007-08, Daboll was his quarterbacks coach with the Jets.
Derek Anderson
At 35, Anderson would bring a veteran prescience like Clemons. Anderson also has some experience with Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. All three spent extended time in Carolina during their careers.
Brandon Silvers
After going undrafted at the 2018 NFL draft, Silvers, signed with the New Orleans Saints. The Troy product didn’t make it past spring practices though. He was cut.
According to NYUP.com, Silver met with the Bills at the Senior Bowl, so there could be some interest. During his senior year, Silvers threw for 3,290 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also helped lead Troy to a 24-21 lead over LSU last season.
Riley Ferguson
Unlike Silvers, Ferguson did not reportedly meet with the Bills during the pre-draft process. However, he’s likely the most talented rookie free agent out there. At Memphis during his senior year, Ferguson racked up 3,971 passing yards with 36 touchdowns while running for six more. He’s a raw 6-foot-3 talent, though.
Like Silvers, he was cut after spring practices, but with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.