Why did Buechele start and play the entire game?

[SectionC3]

1.  He deserved the opportunity to make tape.  2.  They're thinking of trying to trade Mike White (hello, Lions and Raiders) and they wanted to see if he can handle #3.  

[Stads]

9 hours ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

QB controversy.  McD mad at Josh, Mitch and Mike.  Buechele possibly starting Week 1 now.

[zow2]

6 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

1.  He deserved the opportunity to make tape.  2.  They're thinking of trying to trade Mike White (hello, Lions and Raiders) and they wanted to see if he can handle #3.  

 

Yeah with Aiden O’Connell out they do need a backup to Geno.  There’s no way i’d trade for White that’s for sure. But maybe a Pickett or someone like that would be available.  It’s always possible Buechele gets plucked from the PS.  Bills did that to KC i believe to get him.

[Sierra Foothills]

31 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

If I'm a backup QB who hopes to play in NFL games, Buffalo is one of the last places I'd go to on the PS as they have an established #1  and you were just cut so you know you're not even the #2.  The only way you play would be Allen gets hurt and is out over a month, Mitch comes in and plays terrible for maybe 2 to 3 games, then they might start White. Go to a team like the Jets, they could be on their 4th QB by November.

 

To play devil's advocate, I believe among NFL QBs that some are realists/pragmatists who accept that they're highly unlikely to ever start an NFL game but are quite willing to carry the clipboard for millions of dollars.

 

Also, some QBs who do aspire to become starters might be very interested in "learning at the knee" of a great master like Josh Allen and being in a winning organization like the Bills.

 

[DrDawkinstein]

9 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

They've done this in the past. Played a QB for the final game they knew wouldn't be on the roster. Most notable was AJ McCarron a few years back against the Bears.

 

Double reason.

 

#1, why risk a guy like Mitch or (likely) White that they plan on having rostered or on the PS. 

 

#2, they gave him a chance to put a game together and get stuff in film for other teams to look at and possibly make it easier to let him audition for a job on another roster.

 

This is it exactly. No other controversy or coach being mad at the other guys.

 

These last preseason games are all about the guys at 53 - 99.

[Captain Hindsight]

9 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Yeah, I thought that was a little odd too. I knew Mitch had won the gig and was unlikely to play. But I expected to see White play at least some before Buechele came in.

 

My only guess is that they didn't really want to showcase White, as they want to have him as their Practice Squad QB? 

I don’t understand the fascination with Mike White or the constant worry that someone is gonna poach our 3rd QB

 

White had his shot. He didn’t do enough to warrant anything other than a low end backup QB spot. He’s not in danger of being claimed, or frankly not being available mid season in a “break glass” situation

[GASabresIUFan]

43 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

What's the salary difference between Buechele  and White?  If Buechele  is much cheaper they keep him.

 

I think Buechele will be the emergency QB.  White is a good enough established QB that if/when the Bills cut him over the next two days, some other team will pick him up and if I'm a backup QB who hopes to play in NFL games, Buffalo is one of the last places I'd go to on the PS as they have an established #1  and you were just cut so you know you're not even the #2.  The only way you play would be Allen gets hurt and is out over a month, Mitch comes in and plays terrible for maybe 2 to 3 games, then they might start White. Go to a team like the Jets, they could be on their 4th QB by November.

 

Plus too I doubt they'd keep 2 QB's on PS and think Buechele  gets that spot unless he did enough yesterday that another team picks him up.

This is certainly possible.  Lets hope we never have to see the 3rd QB play in a game this coming season.  Let's also hope the only time we see Mitch is when the Bills are up 30 in the 4th qtr.

[DrDawkinstein]

3 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

To play devil's advocate, I believe among NFL QBs that some are realists/pragmatists who accept that they're highly unlikely to ever start an NFL game but are quite willing to carry the clipboard for millions of dollars.

 

Also, some QBs who do aspire to become starters might be very interested in "learning at the knee" of a great master like Josh Allen and being in a winning organization like the Bills.

 

 

Absolutely. For $1M/year to hang out with the Bills, be in the QB room with Josh, and have zero pressure or stress... Any of us would kill for such a job.

 

45 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

What's the salary difference between Buechele  and White?  If Buechele  is much cheaper they keep him.

 

 

They're both at about $1M/yr. Pretty much the same contract at this point (White in year 2 of his 2 year deal).

[PayDaBill$]

White looked awful, Buechele did not.  Does anyone really care if White goes?

[SectionC3]

21 minutes ago, zow2 said:

 

Yeah with Aiden O’Connell out they do need a backup to Geno.  There’s no way i’d trade for White that’s for sure. But maybe a Pickett or someone like that would be available.  It’s always possible Buechele gets plucked from the PS.  Bills did that to KC i believe to get him.

White is cheaper than Pickett.  

[SoTier]

31 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

To play devil's advocate, I believe among NFL QBs that some are realists/pragmatists who accept that they're highly unlikely to ever start an NFL game but are quite willing to carry the clipboard for millions of dollars.

 

Also, some QBs who do aspire to become starters might be very interested in "learning at the knee" of a great master like Josh Allen and being in a winning organization like the Bills.

 

 

I also think that a young QB who aspires to becoming a HC, working with a great QB in an excellent organization would be a priceless apprenticeship.  Both Kevin O'Connell and Kellen Moore are among the former QBs who never did much as players but learned the game as backups.

Edited August 24 by SoTier

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

29 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

To play devil's advocate, I believe among NFL QBs that some are realists/pragmatists who accept that they're highly unlikely to ever start an NFL game but are quite willing to carry the clipboard for millions of dollars.

 

Also, some QBs who do aspire to become starters might be very interested in "learning at the knee" of a great master like Josh Allen and being in a winning organization like the Bills.

 

 

 

I agree too with your first part and think that's where Mitch is at this point in his career.  The problem with many of these guys are they are at that point, but in denial so keep trying to find that perfect spot.

 

The problem with trying to learn from Allen is you'd figure out quickly you need to grow to 6'5", improve your speed, and develop a cannon of an arm.  You probably would have had a better chance of learning from a guy like Tom Brady as he really didn't have any off the chart stats except win percentage.  But he never would have told you anything.

[strive_for_five_guy]

3 hours ago, Stads said:

You bet, man.  Watch.

[Jerome007]

3 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

White had his shot. He didn’t do enough to warrant anything other than a low end backup QB spot. He’s not in danger of being claimed, or frankly not being available mid season in a “break glass” situation

I'm biasedly rooting for him because of how he handled himself with the Jets when the Bills pulverized him and his ribs. He must still fear when Milano comes near ha ha. Dude has guts and toughness, that's for sure. As for keeping him or not, not my decision so I'll.... trust the process.

[Stads]

29 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

You bet, man.  Watch.

First question- What kind of drugs are you on?

Follow up- Where might one purchase said drugs?

[Senth]

Josh and Mitch that's it .... even PS spots are valuable.

[Billl]

6 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I don’t understand the fascination with Mike White or the constant worry that someone is gonna poach our 3rd QB

 

White had his shot. He didn’t do enough to warrant anything other than a low end backup QB spot. He’s not in danger of being claimed, or frankly not being available mid season in a “break glass” situation

Every fanbase seems to think they’ve got 75 guys on the roster that would immediately be snatched up if they were cut.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

6 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I don’t understand the fascination with Mike White or the constant worry that someone is gonna poach our 3rd QB

 

White had his shot. He didn’t do enough to warrant anything other than a low end backup QB spot. He’s not in danger of being claimed, or frankly not being available mid season in a “break glass” situation

To be fair, I think most hoped he would outplay Trubisky because no one has any faith in Trubisky. Looks like White failed the test. Like you said. Waive him and there is a very good chance he is still available mid year if catastrophe strikes. 

It wont matter if Allen misses even a few games. The roster is not good enough to carry Trubisky. The run game works best because of the QB threat. The defense can't stop anyone when it matters. Without a lead to work with they would get scorched.  

It's all on Allen. 

[Wacka]

7 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

To play devil's advocate, I believe among NFL QBs that some are realists/pragmatists who accept that they're highly unlikely to ever start an NFL game but are quite willing to carry the clipboard for millions of dollars.

 

Also, some QBs who do aspire to become starters might be very interested in "learning at the knee" of a great master like Josh Allen and being in a winning organization like the Bills.

 

Gale Gilbert went to 5 consecutive SBs holding the clipboard.

[reddogblitz]

On 8/23/2025 at 8:57 PM, BuffaloBillyG said:

They've done this in the past. Played a QB for the final game they knew wouldn't be on the roster. Most notable was AJ McCarron a few years back against the Bears.

 

Double reason.

 

#1, why risk a guy like Mitch or (likely) White that they plan on having rostered or on the PS. 

 

#2, they gave him a chance to put a game together and get stuff in film for other teams to look at and possibly make it easier to let him audition for a job on another roster.

 

There was was also some cat named Baker I think it was that started in the 4th preseason twice under Coach Gailey I think it was.  Or maybe Jauron.