Battle to be Josh Allen's backup QB heating up for Buffalo Bills

Mitch Trubisky seems to have the inside track on the Buffalo Bills' backup quarterback job heading into Sunday night's second preseason game.

Bills quarterbacks Josh Allen and Mitch Trubisky high-five during position drills during the final day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Thursday, August 7, 2025 in Pittsford, NY. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Star running back James Cook is signed and sealed. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen is cemented as an elite quarterback.

But what happens to the Buffalo Bills if a sky-is-falling injury happens to either of them? The last two preseason games — beginning Sunday night against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field — will go a long way toward providing those answers.

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As was the case during Cook's training camp contract "hold-in", Ray Davis remains the Bills' No. 2 runnning back and - apparently - also their emergency kicker. If Allen goes down for any extended length of time, obviously the Bills' grand plans go up in smoke. But even if he misses a game or two, are the Bills confident in either backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky or Mike White?

Bills quarterback Mike White celebrates as Shane Buechele throws a perfect three-for-three during position drills during the final day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Thursday, August 7, 2025 in Pittsford, NY. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Head coach Sean McDermott hasn't divulged how he will divvy snaps Sunday night, or if Allen will see any playing time. Trubisky and White, however, are almost guaranteed to get important auditions.

Trubisky, who appeared in nine games as Allen's backup last season, got the start in the preseason opener against the New York Giants and seems to have an edge on the No. 2 job. But both he and White were impressive. Trubisky completed 9 of 13 passes for 138 yards a touchdown; White 8 of 13 for 112 yards and two scores.

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Allen threw three interceptions in Friday's joint scrimmage against the Bears, but keeping him healthy remains the No. 1 goal of camp.

“Yeah, I would love to if you could put him in a bubble that would guarantee me that he wasn’t gonna get hurt,” McDermott said. “Josh has been in a good spot, it’s just his continual development this preseason with making sure he feels good about where he’s at and with his receivers in particular, I think that’s going to be big for him.”

Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky throws to the end zone during route drills. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

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