Bills Getting a 'Different' Josh Allen This Offseason, Says Sean McDermott
The start of OTAs for the Buffalo Bills has been highlighted by a new demeanor from star quarterback Josh Allen. And speaking with the media on Tuesday, Bills coach Sean McDermott spoke about the strides he's seen from the franchise signal-caller this offseason.
"I've seen a different Josh this offseason, not that it was bad before, but he's got a new sense of focus, I would say, and determination which is good," McDermott said.
But it isn't just the mindset of Allen that is different from years past, but also his level of play.
“Overall, I just think that Josh taking his game to another level really means being a great decision-maker, ..." McDermott said. "Adjusting his style of play enough to keep himself healthy and to play smarter at times as well."
This different version of Allen comes after an offseason where his play style was a big topic of discussion, as general manager Brandon Beane publicly voiced his plea to see his quarterback reduce the number of hits he takes a game.
Beane pointed to Allen's aggressive nature when a play breaks down, which leads to him taking unnecessary hits instead of getting out of bounds or going down voluntarily.
It is no coincidence that this talk made its way into the mainstream after a UCL sprain threatened to shorten Allen's season in 2022. The Bills want to make sure that their quarterback is durable long-term, something that is continually talked about with dual-threat quarterbacks.
This growing maturity from Allen shouldn't be surprising, as it is to be expected of a quarterback heading into his sixth season in the NFL. Allen, 27, is coming into the prime of his career, which is being reflected in his offseason progress.
If Allen can cut down on the interceptions and stay healthy, then the sky is the limit for the Bills. Buffalo has been boosted by one of the league's top offenses in recent years but has yet to get over the hump in the postseason.
Raising his level of play can only mean good things for both sides, as it will help propel the Bills to winning that elusive Super Bowl, while for Allen it'd mean a bigger contract down the road.
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