Josh Allen Teases New Balance Deal at Bills Preseason Game

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen keeps signaling a new footwear contract with New Balance.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen before an NFL preseason game on August 10, 2025.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen before an NFL preseason game on August 10, 2025. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

On Saturday afternoon, the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 34-25 in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Bills quarterback Josh Allen did not play in the first exhibition game, but he still made news with his kicks.

Earlier this summer, Allen began wearing New Balance football cleats on the field during minicamp practices. We speculated at the time that the 2024 NFL MVP could be signaling a new footwear sponsor and upcoming sneaker deal.

While there has still been no official announcement from either New Balance or Allen, the Bills quarterback is removing any doubt that he has left Nike and is embarking on a new chapter of his footwear journey.

Allen rolled up to Highmark Stadium rocking New Balance apparel from head-to-toe: Made in USA 990v6 sneakers ($200), New Balance Athletics Cotton Long Sleeve ($50), and New Balance Sport Essentials Fleece Joggers ($65).

Allen was not done representing New Balance, as he took the field in a pair of unreleased white cleats. Throughout the summer, Allen has worked out in the New Balance Prodigy cleats. However, yesterday was a pair of never-before-seen cleats.

This will take some time for fans and sneakerheads to adjust to seeing, as Allen has been a face of Nike football for years. Last season, Allen was one of the first NFL players to debut a player-exclusive colorway of Deion Sanders' retro cleats.

While Allen looks to be the most important signing in New Balance football history, he is not the only part of their plan. It looks like Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will also join the Boston-based brand this season. Williams has worn New Balance cleats on the field throughout the summer.

Fans can most likely expect an official announcement from New Balance closer to the kick-off of the regular season. New Balance snagging Allen away from Nike and Williams from footwear free agency is a major victory for the brand that continues to grow its presence in American football.

Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NFL and beyond.

More NFL Footwear News

Deion Sanders rejects Nike shoes: "Grown men can't walk around in purple."

Nike celebrates Shedeur Sanders' NFL preseason debut.

Is Joe Burrow breaking up with Nike? Check out his cleats.

Travis Kelce rocks new Air Jordan cleats at Chiefs camp.

Odell Beckham Jr. said he "invented the cleat game" in the NFL.


Published
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Kicks On Sports Illustrated. As a leading voice in footwear journalism, he breaks news, spotlights important stories, and interviews the biggest names in sports. Previously, Pat has reported on the NBA and authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)." You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

Share on XFollow Pat_Benson_Jr