The New Jersey Generals have claimed off waivers from the Michigan Panthers quarterback Eric Barriere. A corresponding move is likely to follow due to a head injury suffered by DeAndre Johnson in Week 7. With the addition of Barriere, the Generals currently have four quarterbacks on their roster. The Eastern Washington standout joins Kyle Lauletta, Dakota Prukop, and DeAndre Johnson.

New Jersey Generals Claim Michigan Panthers QB Eric Barriere Off Waivers

With three weeks to go in the USFL regular season, the 2-5 New Jersey Generals are hanging on to their fading playoff hopes in the North. Mike Riley’s troops have lost four consecutive games. And are in desperate need of some spark in 2023.

In Week 8, New Jersey faces the league’s hottest team, the Memphis Showboats, who have won four straight contests.

The Generals are in a must-win situation this coming Sunday in Canton. They trail the Panthers by one game for the final playoff spot in the Northern Division.

However, the Generals’ acquisition of Eric Barriere, late in their current campaign, suggests that this move is more about 2024.

Eric Barriere, the 2021 Walter Payton Award winner as the most outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, has seen limited action in the USFL since joining the league a little over a year ago.

The two-time Big-Sky offensive player of the year has seen action in two games for the Michigan Panthers, completing 14 of 24 passes for 118 yards, with one passing touchdown.

The Eastern Washington dual-threat superstar has a ton of upside, but he hasn’t had the playing time yet in the pros. It’s possible that Barriere could see some late-season snaps with New Jersey. But this has the feel of a move designed for next year.

The Michigan Panthers let Barriere go to make way for the addition of another small-school standout, Brown University’s E.J. Perry. Perhaps with New Jersey, Eric Barriere can get more of an opportunity to rekindle the magic he had in college.

The head injury sustained by DeAndre Johnson could shut him down for the rest of the season. Kyle Lauletta is likely to continue starting the rest of the way for New Jersey. But Barriere could push for that backup spot behind him while competing with Dakota Prukop in practice.