All-Time Buffalo Bills QB Rankings: Kelly #1, Allen #2

Matt Barkley

Buffalo Bills
Retired 4 Years In The NFL
🏆 Wuerffel Trophy (2012)
Matt's
HAIR
8.3
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Matt Barkley or the Bills?

Matt Barkley Legacy

HEYTC AI
Matt Barkley, the golden-boy gunslinger from Newport Beach who lit up USC like a Trojan torch, arrived in the NFL as the fourth-round dream of 2013 with whispers of Leinart 2.0. What made him special? Pure college wizardry—school-record six-TD games, Pac-12 passing marks, that Wuerffel Trophy grit for community and comeback. Pro reality hit hard: journeyman odyssey across 11 teams, but signature shine came in '16 Chicago rallies (near-upsets over Pack and Niners) and his '18 Bills start, torching the Jets for 232 yards and two scores to snap a skid. Legacy? The ultimate pro's pro—resilient backup who outlasted the hype.

Matt Barkley Rating Breakdown

Season
Subpar
Fantasy
Subpar
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
3 years with the Bills

Matt Barkley Career Stats via Wikipedia

2,699 Pass Yards
11 Touchdowns
22 INTs
58.4% Comp %
8.3 HAIR
2-5 Record

Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Barkley

How does Josh Allen compare to Matt Barkley?

Josh Allen towers over Matt Barkley like a cannon next to a cap gun—Allen's the Bills' supernova with MVP-caliber arm and legs, while Barkley's legacy is that gritty 2018 relief start, torching the Jets for 232 yards and two scores to snap a skid. Allen's rewritten Buffalo's record book; Barkley was the emergency brake that held for one wild afternoon.

Is Matt Barkley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, Matt Barkley's not in Canton—zero busts for a guy who slung 2,699 yards and 11 TDs across seven teams, mostly as a clipboard warrior. Hall's for the immortals; Barkley's the ultimate journeyman, starting just seven games with more picks than Pro Bowls. Solid pro, no plaque.

What is Matt Barkley doing now in 2026?

In 2026, Barkley's a free agent at 35, hanging up the cleats after that 2023 Jaguars cameo—zero yards, all turnover vibes. No broadcasts or charity headlines popping; he's likely coaching youth gigs or USC alumni circuits, plotting his next backup hustle like the eternal survivor he is.

How would Matt Barkley perform in today's NFL?

Barkley's quick-release USC polish would glisten under today's pass-happy rules—no more 2013 thumpers mugging pocket passers. His 58% completion and 66.6 rating in spot duty? Could balloon to serviceable in shotgun spreads, but those 22 picks in 363 tries scream he'd still gift-wrap drives weekly.

How does Matt Barkley compare to Jim Kelly?

Jim Kelly's the Bills' gold standard, 49.97 rating dragging them to four straight Super Bowls; Barkley's 8.29 passenger rating in sparse action is like comparing a Ferrari to a rented Pinto. Both franchise guys by jersey, sure, but Kelly owned Orchard Park—Barkley just borrowed the huddle once.