The Buffalo Bills are taking an extra step to prepare for their playoff showdown against the Baltimore Ravens by signing Anthony Brown, a former Baltimore quarterback, to their practice squad. Brown’s role is clear: simulate the dual-threat abilities of Lamar Jackson and give Buffalo’s defense a better chance of stopping the 2019 and 2023 MVP.
Can Anthony Brown Give the Bills an Edge?
Brown, who spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Baltimore before being released in the summer of 2023, is being tasked with replicating Jackson’s unique skill set in practice.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott explained the decision during a media session.
“He can throw it. He can run it. So it’s a true honest look, down in and down out, of some of the things conceptually that Lamar does.”
#Bills HC Sean McDermott explains how signing former Ravens QB Anthony Brown to their practice squad helps them prepare “He can throw it. He can run it. So it’s a true honest look down in and down out…of some of the things conceptually that Lamar does.”
He did acknowledge… pic.twitter.com/MtTvoKpbq5
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) January 15, 2025
While McDermott acknowledged that there’s only one Lamar Jackson, the addition of Brown provides a unique edge as the Bills prepare for one of the NFL‘s most dynamic offenses.
Even though Brown played under a different offensive coordinator in Baltimore, his firsthand experience with Jackson’s tendencies could offer valuable insight.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Bills, who are looking to make it back to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2021, when they lost 38-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills are also looking to avenge their lopsided loss to the Ravens earlier this season.
In Week 4, Buffalo suffered a humbling 35-10 defeat in Baltimore. Derrick Henry torched the Bills for a 199-yard rushing performance, including a 94-yard touchdown run, while Jackson added two passing touchdowns and another on the ground.
The defeat snapped Buffalo’s NFL-record streak of 43 consecutive regular-season games without losing by six or more points and served as a painful wake-up call for them early on in the season.
Buffalo Makes $915,000 Coin Flip
With revenge possibly in mind, Buffalo signed Brown for the remainder of the season on a $915,000 contract — a substantial investment that underscores their commitment to neutralizing Jackson and Baltimore’s potent offense.
Despite his limited time in Baltimore and his lack of experience with Todd Monken’s current offensive scheme (Monken was hired in February 2023, and Brown was cut at the end of that summer), Brown’s presence in Buffalo’s practice squad gives the team’s defense a chance to face a quarterback who can simulate the unique challenges Jackson poses.
Whether it’s his ability to extend plays with his legs or his knack for exploiting defensive lapses, Brown offers a glimpse into what they’ll face under the prime-time lights. And when we say glimpse, we really do mean that, as it’s impossible to replicate Jackson’s style.
Fans can expect a must-watch quarterback duel in the Divisional Round as two of the league’s most mobile and dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks take center stage. Jackson, a two-time MVP and favorite to win it again this year, remains a human highlight reel, capable of turning broken plays into breathtaking touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen, also a leading MVP contender, continues to redefine what’s possible at the position with his cannon arm and bruising running style.
Beyond this playoff run, it will be interesting to see if the Bills consider retaining Brown as a backup to Allen. For now, this signing is basically a million-dollar coin flip, its success hinging on whether Buffalo can contain Jackson and win their next game. If the Bills prevail, this investment could be seen as a stroke of genius.