Josh Allen has been the cornerstone of the Buffalo Bills ever since the team selected him seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. As the franchise quarterback, Allen has earned MVP honors but has yet to lead the Bills to a Super Bowl appearance. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the team aims to ensure greater quarterback depth to protect the lineup from injury risks and maintain competitive stability.
Depth behind a starting quarterback is critical for NFL teams, especially for a franchise like Buffalo whose success largely hinges on Allen’s performance. Anticipating the free agency status of current backup Mitch Trubisky in 2026, the Bills are exploring new options to reinforce this position and secure the future of their offense.
Potential Backup Quarterback Luke Altmyer on Buffalo Bills’ Radar
According to Jacob Camenker of USA Today, the Bills are expected to select quarterback Luke Altmyer from Illinois during the 2026 NFL Draft, possibly as a late-round pick around the 220th selection. Altmyer is viewed as a steady, experienced player who could compete with other backups such as Shane Buechele for a spot behind Allen.
Camenker highlights that
“Josh Allen’s backup, Mitch Trubisky, is set to be a free agent in 2026,”
and if Trubisky departs, the team will likely add a newcomer to bolster depth. He adds,
“Altmyer was a three-year starter at Illinois who lacks elite traits but was steady in Bret Bielema’s pro-style offense. The 6-1, 210-pound quarterback completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,007 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions in his final college season.”
In addition to statistical production, Altmyer’s leadership is noted given his three-year tenure as a starter and team captain during his college years. The NFL’s official profile states,
“Three-year starter with solid passing production relative to the lack of protection he saw in 2025,”
and mentions his familiarity with pro-style passing concepts, as well as
“decent eye discipline/patience to give the play a chance.”
Strengths and Challenges in Luke Altmyer’s Playing Style
The NFL profile also points out that Altmyer
“throws with adequate anticipation into zone windows but a slower operation time and lack of arm talent hurt his chances of beating tight man coverage.”
Furthermore, it warns that
“edge pressure sneaks up on him”
and
“he hasn’t learned to avoid sacks often enough.”
These elements combine to make his potential as a roster quarterback uncertain, especially when competing for a backup slot on an NFL roster.
Camenker acknowledges this mix of skills and limitations but believes Altmyer fits the Bills’ need for a solid backup option to accompany Allen.
Expert Assessment of Altmyer’s Potential as a Backup Quarterback
Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus weighs in on Altmyer’s abilities, describing him as
“a great touch passer, especially versus press-man coverage on vertical routes to the outside.”
Sikkema points out that despite
“a higher sack rate due to a lack of twitch and athleticism,”
Altmyer
“is not afraid to stand in the pocket and scan the field if the situation presents itself and won’t bail after a few seconds out of panic.”
Additionally, Sikkema notes that Altmyer is
“comfortable throwing inside and outside the numbers and is a good rhythm and timing passer on in-breaking routes.”
However, on the downside, he
“lacks the arm to consistently push the ball into tight coverage toward the sideline versus zone.”
Implications for the Buffalo Bills’ Future Quarterback Strategy
As the Buffalo Bills look forward to continuing their pursuit of a Super Bowl run, ensuring strong quarterback depth remains a priority. Josh Allen’s value to the team is undeniable, but backup support will be essential to maintain offensive effectiveness in the event of injury or other challenges.
Bringing in a developing player like Luke Altmyer could provide the Bills with stability behind Allen, allowing Allen to focus on leading the team without undue pressure. The 2026 NFL Draft pick may serve as a reliable understudy who gradually adapts to the professional level, all while giving Buffalo flexibility in managing its quarterback roster.
With Mitch Trubisky entering free agency in 2026, the team’s interest in Altmyer underscores a strategic approach to maintain competitive depth and safeguard their investment in Josh Allen’s success.
