Josh Allen
Getty
Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
The Buffalo Bills are shaping up their quarterback room for 2026, bringing back a reserve who plays a key role for starter Josh Allen.
The Bills on Tuesday signed veteran quarterback Shane Buechele to a reserve/futures contract, allowing him to work with the team through the offseason and into training camp. Buechele has been the team’s practice-squad quarterback for years, but also serves as something of a player/coach for Allen.
Shane Buchele’s Important Role
Though he has never appeared in a game for the Bills, Buechele has played an important role as the scout team quarterback and a master of mechanics. Reporter Nick Sabato of the Niagara Gazette called Buechele “Allen’s right-hand man,” noting that he has often worked with the Bills starter on improving his mechanics.
Ronald Curry, the team’s quarterback coach, said Buechele has been an important part of the quarterback room.
“He just has a great bedside manner,” Curry said. “He sees the game easy and he’s coachable. And I think he’s great for Josh, being the caddy in the room. And he’s great for me just to bounce stuff off of him. If he wants to do coaching one day, I’m pretty sure he’ll excel at it.”
Allen is known for continually working on his mechanics, especially after an injury that forced him to change his throwing motion in the 2023 season. Allen spent time that offseason working with a sports science company to identify the deficiencies in his throwing motion and correct them.
Buechele is expected to be back with the team in at least some capacity, likely on the practice squad but with a new chance to take the No. 2 spot.
Bills Lost Shane Buechele Late in the Season
Buechele had an interesting season, remaining on Buffalo’s practice squad until a reunion with his former team late in the year. The Kansas City Chiefs were desperate for a steady quarterback after both Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew suffered season-ending injuries, so they poached Buechele from Buffalo’s practice squad.
Buechele had previously served as the No. 3 quarterback in Kansas City before signing with the Bills. He was able to see his first NFL action, relieving starter Chris Oladokun in one game and completing 7 of 14 passes for 88 yards.
As SI.com’s Alex Brasky noted, Buechele could have the chance to move up the roster in Buffalo this offseason. The Bills will have a hole to fill at the No. 2 spot, and their tight cap situation could make Buechele an attractive option.
“Bills backup QB Mitch Trubisky is a free agent this offseason and is projected to make $4.4 million on the open market, per Spotrac,” Brasky wrote. “There’s a chance the Bills will elect to go with the less expensive option in Buechele, who is 28 years old and entering his sixth NFL season.”
The Bills are already expected to undergo changes after elevating offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach following the firing of Sean McDermott. The Bills named Pete Carmichael as their new offensive coordinator, though Brady is expected to stay on as the playcaller.