Even as he prepares for his seventh NFL season, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is continually looking for fresh ways to improve.
As Allen and his teammates began training camp on July 24, Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised the quarterback’s progress. McDermott emphasized Allen’s leadership, noting there has been a significant increase in the role he plays with teammates.
“I’ve noticed a ratcheted-up form of Josh [Allen] from a leadership standpoint,” McDermott told media before the team’s Wednesday morning practice, as reported by Sal Capaccio on X.
Josh Allen’s New Role
Allen’s leadership was evident even before the team assembled for training camp. When the Bills were looking for veteran receivers to replace Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen played an active role in bringing in former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Valdes-Scantling stated that when he arrived to Buffalo for a free agent visit, Allen brought him to supper with part of the coaching staff.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the two hit it up right away during their visit.
“Part of the back-story with Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing with Buffalo: Josh Allen had him over to his house for dinner Monday night as part of the receiver’s free agent visit,” according to Fowler. “The two hit it off, and MVS decided that night he wanted to be a Bill.”
Valdes-Scantling, who eventually signed with the Bills, said Allen’s offer made the visit memorable.
“Typically, when you come on a visit, you go out to lunch with the staff and talk to them. And Josh was like, ‘No, why don’t you just come over to the house?'” Valdes-Scantling explained.
Allen has previously assisted in player recruitment, but not with the same level of initiative as this offseason. In the 2022 offseason, Bills general manager Brandon Beane approached Allen to seek for his assistance in recruiting pass rusher Von Miller. Allen accepted, but only on the condition that the team bring back his buddy and former mentor, Matt Barkley.
Bills Quarterback Working on Weaknesses
Allen has been focusing on more than simply his leadership abilities. The Bills quarterback collaborated with a California-based sports science firm to capture his throwing motion and correct inefficiencies.
Allen informed Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle that he experienced a shoulder issue early in the 2023 season that nagged him all year, requiring him to change his throwing technique. Rather than allowing the change to become a bad habit, Allen said he wanted to make sure it was fixed before the next season began.
“I wouldn’t call it a complete overhaul of my throwing motion, but definitely some things to work on and clean up,” Allen shared. “Anytime you go through something like that, it will feel fantastic at times and bad at others. It’s like improving your golf swing; as long as you trust it and keep working on it, you’ll see results every day.”
