Bills quarterback Josh Allen marked his 28th birthday on Tuesday by practicing throws with his teammates and acquainting himself with new wide receivers.
Buffalo is entering its seventh season with Allen as quarterback, and there have been significant changes to the wide receiver lineup. Gabe Davis departed in free agency, and Stefon Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans.
Throughout his career, Allen has thrown for 22,703 yards and 167 touchdowns, solidifying his role as the franchise’s cornerstone. The Bills overhauled a substantial part of their roster in the offseason, partially due to Allen’s salary taking up 22.4 percent of the cap space. Head coach Sean McDermott has urged Allen to embrace a deeper leadership role amidst these changes.
“I’m tremendously impressed and proud of him,” McDermott said about Allen’s development. “He has the character and the qualities you expect from a franchise quarterback. It’s not just about what he does on the field, but also how he handles responsibilities off the field. That’s what makes me most proud.”
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a free agent acquisition who previously won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, is still getting familiar with Allen. His first impression focused more on Allen’s personality than his strong arm.
“Josh is down to earth,” Valdes-Scantling remarked. “Many top quarterbacks have egos, but Josh is just a normal guy.”
Additionally, the Bills drafted Keon Coleman with the 33rd pick, providing Allen with two 6-foot-4 targets to mitigate the loss of Diggs. Allen has already noted Coleman’s potential.
“He’s got great movement and leaping ability,” Allen observed.
Allen also praised the leadership of the 29-year-old Valdes-Scantling and newcomer Curtis Samuel, noting that Coleman is eager to learn.
“It’s enjoyable getting to know these guys both on and off the field,” Allen said. “Learning their body language and figuring out the best ways to connect with them on throws—that’s the exciting part.”
