Matt Barkley

Matt Barkley is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL).

Best known for his highly decorated collegiate career at USC and his subsequent resilience as a prominent NFL journeyman. He served as a valuable backup and spot-starter across 11 different franchises over more than a decade in the league.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Matthew Montgomery Barkley was born on September 8, 1990, in Newport Beach, California, United States of America. The Quarterback stands 188 cm tall, and his weight was last listed at 103 kg.

He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year in 2007. Playing for the USC Trojans from 2009 to 2012, he became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history, starting as a true freshman and setting the Pac-12 Conference single-season record with 39 touchdown passes as a junior.

He finished sixth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting and won the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy in 2012, but a severe shoulder injury suffered late in his senior season significantly impacted his status before he entered the NFL Draft.

Professional Career

Barkley was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

He spent his first two seasons providing depth in Philadelphia before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. Barkley's most extensive opportunity came during the 2016 season when he signed with the Chicago Bears, eventually starting six games and throwing for 1,611 yards and eight touchdowns.

Following his stint in Chicago, he transitioned into an ultimate veteran journeyman role, stabilizing quarterback rooms for the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and the San Francisco 49ers.

His most notable backup tenure occurred with the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2020, where he famously stepped in to win a decisive spot-start against the New York Jets and served as a key locker room mentor for a young Josh Allen. Barkley continued his career into the 2023 season, providing vital depth for the New York Giants' active roster before being signed away by the Jacksonville Jaguars in late December to back up an injured Trevor Lawrence through the conclusion of the season.

Career Highlights:

• 2012 – Wuerffel Trophy
• 2011 – Third-team All-American
• 2011 – Second-team All-Pac-12