The last thing the Buffalo Bills expected heading into 2025 was to have to make a decision at the quarterback position. With the best player in football leading the charge, it feels as though the rest will sort itself out. However, newcomer, and current fourth string quarterback, Shane Buchele made his final push for a roster spot Saturday and he did not disappoint.
The back-up began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent signing. He arrived in Buffalo three years ago. Buchele spent season one on the practice squad, season two on the injured reserve, and is currently firmly planted on the bubble with just 48 hours until final rosters are due.
He conducted the offense for four quarters in last night’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and did so flawlessly. He was one of SI’s four winners.
“Buffalo gave the keys to Shane Buechele on Saturday and he drove the offense to success all night. The former Kansas City Chiefs backup made a case for moving up the depth chart with a strong performance,” SI’s Randy Gurzi writes.
Mitch Trubisky certainly left a lot of meat on the bone in his second and final preseason start a week ago, but the fact that he didn’t even suit up Saturday proves the Bills weren’t putting much consideration into this decision. However, Gurzi says Bucehele might have changed that.
“He made quick and decisive throws, completing 25-of-30 passes for 278 yards with one touchdown. Buechele was easily the biggest winner for Buffalo, doing enough to ask whether or not he should be in the QB2 conversation,” Gurzi concludes.
Can The Bills Keep Three?
The reason why this performance was so crucial for Buchele is because of Josh Allen’s unwavering success. It is hard to justify keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster when your starter is enjoying world bending success.
Not to mention, there’s still another quarterback ahead of him. Former New York Jets starting quarterback Mike White enjoyed a handful of preseason reps, but was less impressive than Buchele at every turn.
It appears as though it will be between White and Buchele to see who gets a spot on the practice squad, with former second overall selection Mitch Trubisky getting no real consideration from a coaching staff that is apparently very comfortable with the role he plays.
Several Sources Predict Buchele Gets Cut
Even after Buchele’s 25/30 win over the Buccs, the media big wigs are not convinced he has earned a spot in Buffalo. He will finish the preseason completing 36 of 46 passes, for just under 400 yards, recording a touchdown and no interceptions, and posting a QBR of 116.4.
Still, writers from The Athletic and ESPN think White gets the nod.
“The Bills decided against using the third preseason game as a chance to continue the backup competition, meaning they’ve already made their decision. With the way it’s looked during both preseason games and practices, Trubisky has been the superior player to Mike White. The Bills will likely try to get White back to their practice squad, just as they did last year,” writes Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic.
“The backup battle was largely put to rest in the second preseason game with quarterback Mike White playing the entire first half with mostly the second-team offense and going 4-11 for 54 yards. White came into the game a bit behind Trubisky but is a no brainer to re-sign to the practice squad unless he finds a backup job elsewhere,” writes Alaian Getzenberg for ESPN.
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