The Buffalo Bills are expected to sign Derek Anderson on Monday as a backup to rookie Josh Allen, who has been the team’s main quarterback this season.
Coach Sean McDermott has been preparing to sign a backup quarterback, and Steelers’ Landry Jones and Anderson were two of his favorite players. The coach is, however, familiar with Anderson, as they both worked for the Carolina Panthers in the past. Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane also worked in North Carolina with the coach and the player.
Before trading Tyrod Taylor to the Browns, McDermott had planned to have Allen, AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman as the team’s quarterbacks. McCarron was injured in the offseason and got traded to the Raiders, leaving the Bills in need of a quality QB.
35-year-old Anderson is a free agent but may have to wait until the Bills make a roster move to create space for him. The Bills need an experienced quarterback, especially one that could also mentor Allen. Anderson is also an accomplished player, having made it to the 2007 Pro Bowler team with 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Apart from the Bills, several teams have paired young quarterbacks with experienced counterparts to increase team depth. The Browns paired Baker Mayfield with Taylor and Drew Santon. The Jets paired youngster Sam Darnold with Josh McCown. The Ravens’ rookie Lamar Jackson will work alongside Joe Flacco and Robert Griffin III.
