How Josh Allen is adjusting to significant changes in Buffalo Bills OTAs

The Buffalo Bills are asking quarterback Josh Allen to do something he hasn’t done in five years.

After releasing starting center Mitch Morse as a salary cap casualty, the Bills revealed a plan to move left guard Connor McGovern to the vacant spot on the offensive line. For the first time since Allen’s rookie season, the three-time NFL MVP finalist will be forced to work with a lead center not named Morse.

For 77 games, including all 17 regular season starts in 2023, Morse and Allen were paired at center. In response to the significant position change, Allen found himself spending more time with McGovern at the team facility.

“We get here, we’re two of the first guys here. We’re sitting in the training room, laying around, hanging out next to each other for 45 (minutes) to about an hour. I think part of it is ” Allen said Tuesday at Orchard Park after OTA practice. “It’s just about understanding each other off the field and developing a constant line of communication. The middle quarterback position is a lot. Understanding how we talk, who we talk to, who we pick up, how can also communicate, sometimes, non-verbally in a play.

McGovern, 26, and Allen, 28, are starting from exactly zero. The former played left guard for every game for the Bills last season.

“Off-field activities pay dividends on the field. When we’re here, we get extra reps and make sure we discuss things after the game,” Allen said.

McGovern has primarily played guard for much of his professional and college career, but has the versatility to create a smooth transition. As a college sophomore, he was Penn State’s starting center for all 13 games of the 2017 season.