Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen is rotating in with the first team on offense, but only strong performance on the field will be worth believing.
After parting ways with Tyrod Taylor this offseason, the Buffalo Bills were clearly hitting reset on the quarterback position (and really, their team as a whole). They then brought in free agent AJ McCarron, but their biggest splash was made in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Bills first traded tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals to move up from No. 21 to No. 12 prior to the draft. On draft night, they then traded up from the 12th pick to No. 7 to select Josh Allen out of Wyoming.
Throughout the offseason though, there has been no definitive nature to how things will play out at quarterback for the Bills in 2018. All indications seemed to be that McCarron, Allen and second-year player Nathan Peterman will all have a shot at that. And early reports from training camp indicate that as well as all three have rotated in with the first team offense (per NFL.com).
Allen getting reps with the first team is the most eye-popping result though. Even being selected in the top 10 of the draft, he was viewed by most as a prospect that needed to be groomed well before seeing the field in a meaningful capacity. Questions about his accuracy, footwork and his mental processing at the position all play into this belief.
However, Allen getting time with the first team offense this early in camp might lead some to believe that the Bills could possibly not wait on him. What’s more, there have also been rumblings of coaches in Buffalo being impressed with him throughout offseason workouts.
The important thing for fans and non-fans alike to remember though is this: Don’t get overly enamored with training camp buzz. Of course coaches and teammates are going to go overboard in praising a young player that, frankly, needs to be boosted up in terms of public perception. That’s called being a cohesive unit.
What will ultimately be the most telling thing about Allen though is what he shows on the field. When the preseason officially begins for the Bills on Aug. 9 and Allen likely sees action in an NFL environment. That’s when we’re going to learn the most about him. That’s when we’ll see if he actually has a viable chance of being QB1 in Buffalo this season.
Granted, Preseason Week 1 won’t be the end of everything for Allen. He can improve as he garners more practice time and experience. What’s more, it could simply be a case of him being who even his supporters thought he was: a player that needs time to get polished by NFL coaching. Regardless though, him getting first-team reps ultimately says little about him. It says that Buffalo still has big questions at quarterback. But until Allen sees time in an NFL game (even the preseason), none of that really matters.