Barkley took 53 snaps in 2020, completing 11 of 21 passes for 197 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

EDGE 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. The same quarterback room of Allen, Barkley and Jake Fromm seems the most likely course of action.

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.

EDGE 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.

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.

EDGE 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. Still, Fromm is a promising enough guy that he adds a question mark to Barkley's long-term status with the team.

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.

EDGE 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.

Barkley is expected to see playing time in Sunday's game against the Jets, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE 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.

Barkley's teammate Josh Allen has been cleared from the concussion protocol and the tentative plan is for Allen to start Sunday's game in Tennessee.

EDGE Analysis

That means Barkley will move back into the No. 2 role, where he serves as one of the more valuable backups in the league given that he's shown a knack to run the Buffalo offense, as well as Allen's propensity to run the ball into dangerous traffic.

Barkley's teammate Josh Allen practiced fully Friday but has still not cleared the league's concussion protocol.

EDGE Analysis

We'll get an announcement either way prior to Sunday morning and possibly as soon as Saturday, while Barkley will start for the Bills in Tennessee if his younger teammate does not receive clearance.

With Josh Allen still working his way back from a concussion, Barkley took first-team reps during practice Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Allen still has a decent chance to pass through all stages of the protocol and return for the Week 5 contest in Tennessee, though with that being no sure thing either, the Bills will be forced to prepare for the Titans with both quarterbacks. If the team decides to play it extra safe with Allen no matter what the doctors say, it could use the Week 6 bye to have him fully fresh for the next stretch of the season. That said, it seems like a slight stretch to think the Bills would put their franchise signal caller on the bench if he were cleared to play. The situation will offer more clues as the practice week progresses.

Barkley came in for the injured Josh Allen (concussion) and completed nine of 16 passes for 127 yards and an interception in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Barkley was called into action after Josh Allen took a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit early in the fourth quarter. He immediately led the team down to the 2-yard line before turning it over on downs. That's as close as the Bills would come to erasing a six-point deficit, as a Barkley interception in New England territory with 1:27 to play sealed their fate. Allen went to the locker room under his own power but couldn't clear the concussion protocol. Barkley would start in Week 5 against the Titans if Allen is unable to clear the protocol by then.

Barkley completed eight of 10 passes with a touchdown pass and no interceptions in Friday's preseason win over the Panthers, good for a 145.8 passer rating.

EDGE Analysis

Despite two excellent preseason games, there's no chance the veteran Barkley will be overtaking Josh Allen for the starting QB job, unless the latter gets hurt or struggles horribly for much of the season on a team whose defense keeps it in playoff contention. However, Barkley is locked into the No. 2 job -- between his last few outings dating back to the 2018 season, he's proving the Bills should still be in capable hands if he gets forced into action at any point.