Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen poised for another strong season

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady was quick to make that statement this offseason, and he understands that this team lives and dies by Allen.

Last season, the Bills quarterback threw for 4,306 yards and 29 touchdowns and ran for another 524 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The biggest change this year is that Brady is in charge from the start. The Bills’ offensive coordinator is determined to find every way possible to maximize Allen’s skills.

New Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry also knows Allen still thinks he can improve in Year 7.

“It’s just his instincts and how he wants to get better,” Curry told the Buffalo News. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he’s always looking for what’s best for him. Obviously, what stands out is his athleticism, he can throw from any platform and the way he cares about his teammates. He’s a great leader.”

“Winning really means a lot to him. It’s not just about words. He does everything he can to put the team first.”

Allen told reporters in June that he needed to make some changes to his throwing motion. But don’t worry, Allen isn’t reinventing the wheel.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a complete overhaul of my throwing motion, but there’s definitely some things to work on and improve,” Allen said during minicamp. “Especially, lengthening my arm and my stride a little bit. So, I’m just trying to improve that.”

Instead, he simply tries to find any advantage he can.

“I think every quarterback can find weaknesses,” Allen said. “… Going back to last year, there’s obviously some little adjustments, whether it’s shoulder, elbow, whatever, that change the way you throw a little bit because your body is protecting itself from the pain. So, I make sure I get back to how I’m supposed to throw and what my body is capable of doing.”

And if Allen does what his body is capable of doing, opposing teams should be very worried.

The repatriates:Josh Allen, Shane Buechele.

New arrivals:Mitch Trubisky (of the Steelers).

departures:Kyle Allen (to the Steelers).

61.38%. That’s the percentage increase in rushing yards per game that Josh Allen saw once Brady took over. Under Ken Dorsey, Allen averaged 24.6 rushing yards per game and scored seven touchdowns in 10 games. With Brady, Allen jumped to 39.7 rushing yards per game (a 61.38% increase) and scored eight touchdowns in the final seven games of the regular season.

Brady downplayed the idea that he was really trying to rush Allen, but the numbers are clear. Whether it was because the Bills were constantly in “must win” mode or it was a change in philosophy, the results were the same: Allen ran more. It will be interesting to see how Allen’s running game evolves this season.

Josh Allen versus himself. Again, huh? Well, for starters, there just isn’t much of a battle when it comes to the quarterback room. Allen is more than ready to start, Trubisky will serve as the backup, and Buechele will round out the group.

When it comes to a matchup between Allen and himself, there’s risk and reward. But Curry doesn’t seem too worried about Allen’s hero ball.

“He sees the game clearly,” Curry said. “There’s not much you can do to fool him, and the good news is he understands that defenses play him differently than other players in the league. He really studies, and it’s a chess game — look at what they give me on the first and second series and he’s able to adjust.”

Expect another dynamic season from Allen. The Bills’ leader is ready to continue making big plays and keeping his team in contention.