mollyfamwatA few thoughts on the Bills’ newly signed quarterback, Josh Allen: – It’s encouraging that the Bills’ front office is so high on Allen. – The Bills are almost certainly going to draft a quarterback in the first round next April. – The Bills are, by all accounts, committed to Allen (and his agent, who has a record for getting his clients to their destination). – Allen’s been a non-factor in his first two seasons after being drafted by the Bills. – Allen’s been learning on the job, and he’s shown improvement in recent weeks.
Expectations have been mounting since the Buffalo Bills’ last draft pick Josh Allen was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Bills’ hope they got a franchise quarterback to take them into the next decade. But that’s not even a guarantee. Allen has a lot to gain and a lot to lose if he fails.
The Buffalo Bills selected Josh Allen with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. Now, the Bills have to be patient with the former Wyoming quarterback.. Read more about josh allen contract and let us know what you think.
2:55 p.m. Eastern
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ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques
NEW YORK — BUFFALO, N.Y. — Questions about a contract extension persisted throughout the offseason, no matter how evasive Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was or how many times quarterback Josh Allen deflected.
Despite the potential of deferring the discussion until 2022, neither party seemed concerned; Allen and the Bills openly stated their willingness to reach an agreement and understood it was a question of when, not if, a deal would be reached.
The when, as it turned out, was Friday afternoon.
According to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter, Allen and the Bills have agreed to a six-year deal extension for $258 million, with an NFL-record $150 million guaranteed. Allen is the second-highest-paid player in league history, behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the highest-paid player in Bills history, with a $43 million average yearly value.
It’s a fitting honor for the franchise’s highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history, and it’ll serve as one of sports’ most famous rags-to-riches tales: the undrafted kid from a farm town in central California whose only Division I offer came when a coach from Wyoming came to scout one of Allen’s teammates at a junior college game. The same kid whose No. 7 pick in 2018 drew widespread skepticism, and whose rookie season (10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a 52.8 completion percentage) did little to dispel that suspicion.
Allen was the third quarterback chosen in 2018, behind only Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns, No. 1) and Carolina Panthers starter Sam Darnold (New York Jets, No. 3); he is currently one of the most wealthy athletes in NFL history.
But Allen in Buffalo was just too good to be true.
“I personally believe it was simply a made-for-each-other connection,” he added. “Being in this wonderful city of Buffalo and trying to embrace the spirit of the place: blue-collar, hardworking, don’t complain, figure it out attitude. I’m extremely self-motivated, and I’ve always wanted to play this game for as long as I possibly can.”
However, the Bills’ investment comes with a great deal of responsibility. The first two selections in the 2016 NFL draft were quarterbacks Jared Goff (the No. 1 pick by the Los Angeles Rams) and Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles). Both players were given large contract extensions by the clubs that selected them, but they were moved this summer.
Allen is now being compensated similarly to Mahomes, so anything less than a Super Bowl victory would be regarded a letdown.
The Bills are obviously confidence in Allen’s ability to perform. His deal is the result of a three-year investment. Beane backed Allen in every way when he was selected by Buffalo, strengthening the offensive line and keeping coach Sean McDermott’s staff intact to guarantee his success.
Last season, Beane even traded for star wide out Stefon Diggs to help Allen take the next step.
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Allen, in exchange, had a runner-up MVP season (4,544 passing yards, 37 touchdown passes, and a 69.2 completion %), setting club records in almost every major passing metric. Beane isn’t concerned that the 2020 season will be an anomaly. Allen had ticked the last box in his opinion; he was a beloved cornerstone in the Buffalo community as well as a recognized leader in the locker room.
“There’s no fear on our side that we’ll simply prolong it a year or two,” Beane added.
Except for his on-field performance, everything about Allen screamed “franchise quarterback.” Last season, the last question mark was responded with zeal.
“Anybody can acquire it,” Dr. Dre reportedly told Kendrick Lamar, “the hard part is maintaining it.”
Allen’s 2020 season, as great as it was, was an anomaly in terms of his NFL career. Few could blame Beane for wanting to see another year of results before putting his money on his quarterback.
But here’s the thing: Beane isn’t putting his whole faith in Allen with this contract extension. Given all Beane, McDermott, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey have done to bring Allen to this point, Allen’s contract reflects Beane’s unwavering faith in their abilities.
“They have a good understanding of what he does,” Beane added. “Then, as Sean said, we were able to find out what sort of weaponry he like, what he sees, and what he gets along with, and we incorporated those things… and, as Sean mentioned, we have a complete development team here to assist individuals continue to improve.”
“Josh will be the first to tell you that he is far from done. But those factors, as well as where he’s come from to where he is now, give you the confidence to approach [owners Kim and Terry Pegula] and ask for permission to make this change.”
How can anybody be certain Allen is still focused on the job at hand? Allen learned from his agent that they were close to an agreement about 4 a.m. Friday, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. He practiced as normal before signing the contract.
It was as though nothing had happened.
McDermott said, “That’s the way he’s wired.”
The expectations are huge. The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen has always been viewed as a future star. But now people are expecting him to be the next great quarterback for the Bills. The hype is on and the expectations are through the roof.. Read more about josh allen jaguars and let us know what you think.
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