Buffalo Bills bring back veteran QB Derek Anderson for another year
By James Reeve
The Buffalo Bills are preparing for the 2019 season quickly, with the announcement that veteran quarterback Derek Anderson has signed a new one-year deal.
Derek Anderson originally joined the Buffalo Bills on an emergency basis after rookie Josh Allen suffered an elbow injury in Week Six.
Anderson wasn’t expected to see the field this season, but ended up starting back-to-back games for the Bills in Weeks Seven and Eight.
Having very little time to learn the team’s playbook, the 35-year-old veteran completed 60 percent of his 70 pass attempts for 465 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions – with the Bills losing both games against the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
Anderson then suffered an injury of his own and sat out the remainder of the 2018 season, something that he is expected to do throughout 2019 also, barring injuries to other quarterbacks.
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The former Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers passer is expected to continue his primary role as Allen’s mentor, helping the talented young QB to continue growing.
The Bills’ quarterback group will now remain the same in 2019 as it did this season, with the team also extended backup Matt Barkley for another season – with the former USC standout impressing in a blowout victory over the New York Jets.
Having a settled group, particularly at quarterback, will do wonders for Allen’s development and the overall progression of the team.
Head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane can now focus their attention on other areas of the team, helping to build a winner with a number of pieces that can help Allen succeed in his second season as a pro.
The offensive line needs help, the team needs more receivers and the departure of Kyle Williams may push the team to make a move for help along the defensive line.
But one position that is arguably the most difficult to get right and improve during any off-season is one that the team won’t need to spend any time considering, with all three quarterbacks returning for another year.
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What do you think Bills Mafia? Are you pleased to see Anderson return to help mentor Allen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.