McCarron vs Allen: The Battle To Be the Bills’ Starting QB

• Which quarterback will be in the spotlight for the Bills in Week 1?
• McCaron impresses early in training camp
• Despite a strong showing from McCaron, Josh Allen remains in the mix for the Bills

Just asBookmaker released its odds on who would be the Bills’ starting quarterback to open the NFL season, Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin spouted off about his surprisingly unhappy time as a Carolina Panther.

Former #Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin not holding back on organization, Cam, when talking to the @TheAthletic https://t.co/pa2sMo0VXm pic.twitter.com/7TcUP5zpsO

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 4, 2018

He unknowingly put his current pivots on blast, and Twitter had a field day with it.

Someone let @kelvinbenjamin know that his QBs in buffalo are: Josh Allen, AJ McCarron, and Nathan Peterman.

— deleting soon (@KeepPoundingKeb) August 4, 2018

Josh Allen ranked bottom-3 in the 2018 QB class in ball placement to every area except 10-19 yards (7th). Cc: @kelvinbenjamin
https://t.co/9lcoJffmfr pic.twitter.com/69h6j83ebX

— Chris Raybon (@ChrisRaybon) August 5, 2018

https://twitter.com/Celtics_Rise/status/1026215424818589700

Given this controversy, things should get interesting. Let’s get to the odds.

Buffalo Bills 2018 Week 1 Starting Quarterback Odds

It’s safe to say this quarterbacking trio is the least experienced in the NFL. McCarron is the clubhouse leader in starts, with three.

Nathan Peterman, already relegated to third-string duty, had two starts last season, including a nightmare debut. There are no odds available for him.

Josh Allen is the first round pick that Bills swapped two first rounders for to get into the seven slot.

AJ McCarron Impresses Early, But Will He Start?

You have to go back to 2015 to find any substantial footage for McCarron, but you’ll see he’s got decent skills, and he has a strong pedigree as a quarterback after starring at Alabama.

All he’s ever wanted is the chance to compete as a starter in the NFL, and he’s getting it in Buffalo. So far, his work at camp has him working with the starting offense and all signs point to him starting in Week 1.

Does training camp footage get you giddy? Buckle up.

https://twitter.com/PirateLifeFF/status/1022928510279733248

AJ McCarron to Brandon Reilly during individual drills. @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/At5UOe0gb8

— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) August 3, 2018

Despite His Pedigree, Questions Swirl Around Josh Allen’s Readiness

Meanwhile, Allen has had a shakier start. Nothing gets irrational Bills fans more riled up than watching their supposed franchise cornerstone throw a play action check down pass like this:

Holy Hell, Josh Allen is gonna be awful https://t.co/ap1wHscuE7

— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) July 27, 2018

That was early on, but he’s been coming on strong in the last few days, looking more like that the big-armed franchise savior at pivot the Bills haven’t seen since Jim Kelly.

Josh Allen to Ray Ray! pic.twitter.com/OsGoABeKIk

— Celeste ❤️💙🇺🇦 (@bills_signgirl) August 4, 2018

🙌🙌🙌@JoshAllenQB ➡️ @CALiboy4. pic.twitter.com/qR6B23xoP6

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 28, 2018

Personally, I really like Allen, even though he’s the popular pick for the first-round bust of the 2018 NFL draft. It may take some time, bu its still entirely possible he eventually wins the starter’s job.

The Bills’ Corey Coleman pickup is a move designed to eventually utilize Allen’s biggest strength as a quarterback: stretching the defense.

If Josh Allen starts for #Bills this year, he and the newly acquired Corey Coleman should have a fun year. In this clip, it showcases Josh Allen's strong arm and pairing that with Corey Coleman blazing quickness it should be fun to watch this duo blow the top off of teams. pic.twitter.com/qUJLT5tzL2

— Cut N Dryve (@CutNDryve) August 6, 2018

Bet On McCarron to Start in Week 1

But for now, the safe bet is McCarron. This opportunity could really jump start his career.

He’ll have to show the Bills’ brass that he’s willing to do what former QB Tyrod Taylor wouldn’t: take shots down the field.

If he does, he’ll force Allen to win the job from his cold, dead hands. It’s not an issue right now for the Bills but it could be somewhere down the line if Allen still isn’t ready to take the reins and McCarron finds success.