Matt Barkley
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Team BUF
Pos QB
Status AActive
Retained by Buffalo
The Bills signed Barkley to a reserve/future contract Monday, Chris Brown of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Barkley signed a one-year contract with the Bills in March, though he ultimately spent the entire season with the team's practice squad. The 32-year-old last appeared in a game during the 2020 campaign during his previous three-year stint with Buffalo. Barkley now will stick with the team once again heading into this offseason, and he could vie for the No. 2 quarterback spot ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Published: Mon, Jan 23 at 3:06pm by Rotowire.com
Joins Buffalo's practice squad
The Bills signed Barkley to their practice squad Wednesday, Alec White of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Barkley was excellent during the Bills preseason finale, completing 18 of 24 passes for 224 yards. However, Case Keenum still earned the top backup spot behind Josh Allen on the active roster. Regardless, Barkley has been brought back and will operate as an emergency option on the team's practice squad.
Published: Wed, Aug 31 at 4:04pm by Rotowire.com
Released by Bills
Buffalo released Barkley on Tuesday.
Analysis: Despite outplaying Case Keenum in the Bills' preseason finale at Carolina on Friday, Barkley was the one who got the short end of the stick on the day of the NFL's 53-man roster deadline. Barkley will need to try to find another opportunity elsewhere as a free agent, and Keenum will serve as Josh Allen's backup in 2022.
Published: Tue, Aug 30 at 2:39pm by Rotowire.com
Shines in Saturday's exhibition
Barkley completed 18 of 24 passes for 224 yards with no TD passes and one interception in Buffalo's preseason win over the Colts on Saturday, good for an 86.1 rating.
Analysis: Case Keenum was brought in to be the main backup to Josh Allen this season, but no one has said that's set in stone, and it looks like Barkley plans on making a case to be the No. 2. Keenum struggled Saturday with two interceptions and a 33.3 rating, though in fairness this was his first game with the Bills, while Barkley played for the team and a similar offense from 2018-20 as Allen's backup. The situation should continue to sort itself over the last two preseason games, as it's doubtful the…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 13 at 5:14pm by Rotowire.com
Back with Bills
Barkley has signed a one-year deal with the Bills.
Analysis: Barkley, who played for Buffalo from 2018 through 2020, returns to the team for a second stint, and this time around the 31-year-old is slated to serve as the Bills' No. 3 QB behind Josh Allen and recently acquired Case Keenum.
Published: Mon, Mar 21 at 9:14am by Rotowire.com
Joins Atlanta's practice squad
The Falcons signed Barkley to their practice squad Thursday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
Analysis: Barkley was waived by Atlanta on Tuesday, but he'll now rejoin the organization as part of the practice squad. It's unlikely that he'll be added to the active roster in Week 18.
Published: Thu, Jan 6 at 3:47pm by Rotowire.com
Waived by Falcons
Barkley was waived by the Falcons on Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official website reports.
Analysis: The quarterback was added last week when Feleipe Franks was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but now has been let go because Franks has returned. Barkley appeared in five games with the Bills last season but likely will not enter a game during the 2021 season as he has yet to do so already and there's one game remaining.
Published: Tue, Jan 4 at 3:25pm by Rotowire.com
Heads to Atlanta
Barkley was claimed off waivers by the Falcons on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Barkley was waived by the Panthers on Tuesday and will remain in the NFC South with the Falcons. Feleipe Franks tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, so Barkley provide quarterback depth along with Josh Rosen behind starter Matt Ryan.
Published: Wed, Dec 29 at 7:25pm by Rotowire.com
Waived by Panthers
Barkley was waived by the Panthers on Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The quarterback became the odd man out in Carolina as the team no longer needed him with Sam Darnold, Cam Newton and P.J. Walker all on the active roster. Barkley has not appeared in a game with the Panthers this season, and he last saw action in five games with the Bills in 2020, throwing for 197 yards with one touchdown and an interception. It is yet to be seen if another team will claim him or if he will join the Panthers' practice squad.
Clears COVID protocols
Barkley was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Barkley spent 10 days on the COVID list before gaining clearance. Now that he's healthy, he should revert to his role as the Panthers' No. 4 quarterback behind Cam Newton, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
Published: Mon, Dec 27 at 11:49am by Rotowire.com
Lands in COVID protocols
Barkley was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday after testing positive for the virus, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Barkley has been serving as Carolina's No. 3 quarterback since Cam Newton was brought in, but Barkley likely will be unavailable for Sunday's matchup with the Bills. Barkley's absence shouldn't affect the Panthers' game plan if Newton and P.J. Walker remain clear of the protocols.
Published: Fri, Dec 17 at 9:45am by Rotowire.com
Sits out with Newton back in town
Barkley (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against Washington, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Carolina's quarterback situation has shifted since Barkley first arrived. Sam Darnold (shoulder) is likely done for the season, but Barkley remains a distant third on Carolina's quarterback depth chart behind the recently reacquired Cam Newton and P.J. Walker.
Published: Sun, Nov 21 at 6:20pm by Rotowire.com
Heading to Carolina
The Panthers are signing Barkley off the Titans' practice squad Tuesday.
Analysis: The 31-year-old has been on Tennessee's practice squad since being cut from the active roster in early September, but he'll now join Carolina with Sam Darnold considered day-to-day after undergoing an MRI on his right shoulder. P.J. Walker should continue to serve as the Panthers' No. 2 quarterback while Barkley provides veteran depth.
Published: Tue, Nov 9 at 2:39pm by Rotowire.com
Secures practice squad spot
The Titans signed Barkley to their practice squad Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Barkley spent the last three seasons operating as a backup for the Bills, but the veteran signal-caller couldn't beat out Logan Woodside for the No. 2 gig in Tennessee. Should Ryan Tannehill (undisclosed) end up missing any time this season, however, Barkley's presence on the practice squad will give the Titans an experienced emergency option.
Can't stick with Titans
Tennessee released Barkley on Wednesday, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
Analysis: Barkley failed to beat out Logan Woodside for the top backup gig in Tennessee. The 30-year-old veteran boasts significant NFL experience and could be a realistic candidate to resurface elsewhere in the league this season, even if he has to wait for a potential injury to open up opportunities.
Published: Wed, Sep 1 at 1:10pm by Rotowire.com
Resurfaces in Tennessee
Barkley announced Thursday that he's signed a contract with the Titans.
Analysis: Barkley, who spent the last three seasons operating as the Bills' reserve signal-caller, now joins Logan Woodside behind Ryan Tannehill in the Titans' quarterback room. The 30-year-old is an experienced veteran whose presence in the locker room has previously drawn praise. He'll have a shot at winning the No. 2 gig, though Woodside arguably has the advantage as an incumbent in the role.
Published: Thu, Aug 5 at 10:29am by Rotowire.com
May not be part of team's plan
Barkley appears unlikely to rejoin the Bills in 2021 after the team signed Mitchell Trubisky last week.
Analysis: Barkley has served as Buffalo's No. 2 quarterback for the last three seasons; in other words the entire Josh Allen era. He's only seen action in eight games over that time, and while he was serviceable in his limited action, the Bills seemingly desire having a more experienced NFL starter in the mix should Allen ever miss time. Barkley was always highly regarded in the locker room, and it's possible the Bills could bring him back as a No. 3, but the team is more likely to use that roster spot…read more
Published: Wed, Mar 24 at 5:51pm by Rotowire.com
Spot action behind Buffalo's star
Barkley took 53 snaps in 2020, completing 11 of 21 passes for 197 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Analysis: The 2020 campaign was the ultimate Josh Allen Show, so even the most faithful Bills fan would have a hard time remembering when Barkley's 21 passes happened, but they did take place over the course of three mop-up duty appearances. Barkley won't wow anyone on the field after being in the league since 2013, but he's served as a good voice for Allen and knows the Buffalo offense as well as anyone, so it'd be a bit of a surprise if the cash-strapped Bills turn to a higher profile backup for 2021.…read more
Published: Mon, Feb 15 at 10:44pm by Rotowire.com
Could see field in Week 17
While the Bills plan to suit up Josh Allen for Sunday's finale against the Dolphins, there's a likelihood Barkley sees meaningful snaps in the contest, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: This makes sense, as several starters have already been made inactive in a game that can only determine seeding for the Bills, while Allen needs only some modest totals to set or extend some franchise records. We would not be shocked if the Bills have Allen out of there by halftime or even earlier while Barkley sees action with a number of other backups. Note that Miami needs to win this game and the weather is expected to be far from optimal.
Published: Sun, Jan 3 at 8:59am by Rotowire.com
Another added to QB room
Barkley will have a new teammate in the quarterback group after the Bills added Georgia's Jake Fromm in the fifth round of the draft this weekend.
Analysis: Fromm comes with a higher pedigree than the usual fifth-rounder following a tremendous career at Georgia, and while he's seen as a smart guy and excellent reader of defenses, it may also be difficult for the youngster to even approach Barkley's familiarity with the Buffalo offense in what could be a shortened offseason due to COVID-19. More likely, Fromm will have to prove he's a better candidate than Davis Webb and hope the Bills keep three quarterbacks on the active roster instead of two.…read more
Published: Sat, Apr 25 at 10:07pm by Rotowire.com
Leads two FG drives in finale
Barkley completed 18 of 35 passes for 232 yards and two interceptions while rushing twice for minus-4 yards and losing one of two fumbles in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Jets.
Analysis: Barkley came in under center after Josh Allen presided over two scoreless drives to open the contest. The Bills aren't known for their offense to begin with and rested key starters on that side of the ball, so Barkley didn't have much to work with and it showed. This was the backup quarterback's second appearance of the season, as Allen has managed to stay mostly healthy. Don't expect to see an appearance from Barkley this postseason, but he'll remain under contract as Allen's backup in 2020.
Published: Sun, Dec 29 at 1:16pm by Rotowire.com
Expected to see playing time
Barkley is expected to see playing time in Sunday's game against the Jets, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
Analysis: With the Bills locked in as the AFC's No. 5 playoff seed, there is no need for starting quarterback Josh Allen to play the entire game against the Jets. That could carve out a role for Barkley, although how significant that role might be is still murky. The situation should become clearer as coach Sean McDermott reveals his game plan for Week 17.
Published: Tue, Dec 24 at 9:08am by Rotowire.com
Bye Week7
Rank75
WK 17 Pts0.00
Barkley Fantasy News
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Brady, Elway, Rodgers among Cal HS HOF class Mon, Aug 15 at 8:37pm
Panthers' Cam Newton active in first game back Sun, Nov 14 at 11:59am
Roundup: Titans sign QB; two WAS vets off COVID list Thu, Aug 5 at 8:30pm
Backup QB rankings: Where do rookies slot in? Fri, Aug 21 at 10:41am
Which schools provide NFL teams with most pro-ready talent? Fri, Jun 4 at 3:31pm
Quarterback U: Rising OU takes aim at USC Tue, Jun 30 at 7:53am
Georgia QB Fromm slides to Bills in fifth round Sat, Apr 25 at 5:30am
Pick-by-pick analysis for Rounds 4-5 of draft Sat, Apr 25 at 2:14am