Report: Derek Anderson inactive, Buffalo Bills don’t want him to play

The Buffalo Bills signed veteran quarterback Derek Anderson on Tuesday, adding a much-needed veteran presence to their quarterback room. With rookie Josh Allen and second-year man Nathan Peterman each struggling this season, head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane decided to bring in a veteran to mentor the young players.

While some experts are of the opinion that Anderson should be brought up to speed and named the starter in Buffalo, the coaching staff has continually said that the veteran’s role is as a mentor, not a starting quarterback. Anderson himself said that he was looking forward to helping Allen grow just as he had helped Cam Newton along when the two were members of the Carolina Panthers together.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills’ brass does not want Anderson to play, barring an injury to one of the other two quarterbacks on the roster. Anderson is expected to be a healthy scratch for today’s game against the Houston Texans, and he probably will remain one for the foreseeable future.

Regardless of what John Clayton thinks, it’s McDermott and Beane whose decision-making matters in Buffalo. Both of Buffalo’s top thinkers see Anderson as a mentor, not a player.