For years, the Buffalo Bills struggled to find that one guy under center who could carry the franchise. That changed in 2018 when Josh Allen arrived in Western New York. Since then, Bills Mafia hasn’t had to worry much about QB drama. And for once, the backup spot has become more of a safety net than a desperate hope. While no one doubts Allen’s role, the question leading into camp was simple: Who gets the clipboard as QB2?

Then came the answer that head coach Sean McDermott didn’t hesitate on. Of course, Josh Allen is the main man, with Mitch Trubisky slotted right behind him. For the Bills, that one-two punch feels more than enough when the goal is taking down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in January. So the front office wasted no time trimming the depth chart, cutting ties with Shane Buechele and Mike White.

Still, the timing of one of those moves raised eyebrows. Just a day after Buechele started a preseason game against the Buccaneers—where Buffalo grabbed a 23-19 win—he was out the door. “Bills are waiving QB Shane Buechele, who completed 25-of-30 passes for 278 yards, a TD, and added 20 rushing yards Saturday night,” NFL insider Adam Schefter wrote on X. Even after that performance, the reality was that he sat fourth on the depth chart behind Allen, Trubisky, and White.

But not for long. According to Tom Pelissero, the Bills also decided White’s time in Buffalo was over. “The #Bills are releasing QB Mike White, per source,” he wrote on X. Sure, White could always land back on the practice squad, but the move all but confirmed Trubisky as the chosen backup. McDermott clearly sees stability there, even if fans may question losing both Buechele and White in the same week.

Still, in today’s NFL, backup quarterbacks carry more weight than most people admit. If Allen misses time, the entire season could hinge on that decision. Plenty of playoff contenders have seen their hopes collapse after their QB1 goes down for a few weeks. Right now, Trubisky gives Buffalo the best chance to survive that scenario. However, amid these, Allen and co just got a major boost in another area that could shape McDermott’s outlook even more.

Josh Allen and the Bills might have found a new gem in Frank Gore Jr

Since Sean McDermott rested many of his starters, the spotlight shifted to fresh faces fighting for a role. And one guy who stole the moment was Frank Gore Jr. The son of the legendary running back came into Orchard Park as an undrafted free agent last year, but this August, he looked like he belonged with Bills Mafia cheering him on at Highmark Stadium.

Meanwhile, Gore Jr. had to carve his lane in a crowded backfield. James Cook already secured his future with a contract extension, while Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis brought depth of their own. Even then, Gore Jr. didn’t just show up—he exploded. With 23 carries for 104 rushing yards and 11 catches for 109 receiving yards, he became the only player in the NFL to post over 100 yards both rushing and receiving this preseason. And it immediately turned heads in the locker room.

Now, the front office has a decision looming. If Gore Jr. makes the 53-man roster, he’ll be another weapon for Josh Allen to fight for the much-awaited Vince Lombardi Trophy. If not, he’ll hit waivers and could be snatched by another team. And if no one takes a chance, the Bills can stash him on the practice squad. Either way, he proved he’s too valuable to ignore, especially when Buffalo’s ground game carries so much weight.

Finally, consider how much Allen himself has carried the load. The Bills ranked ninth in rushing last year, but after Cook, it was Allen who sat second on the list—something the team would like to change. The dual-threat QB is electric, but putting his body on the line every week isn’t the safest call. That’s where Gore Jr. fits in, giving the Bills another option to keep Allen fresh and the offense balanced.