Editor’s note: This is the 11th story in a series previewing the Bills’ position groups as training camp looms. Today: Quarterbacks.
And for an encore, Josh Allen does what?
Since the Associated Press began awarding the MVP award in 1957, there have been five repeat winners: Cleveland running back Jim Brown (1957-58), San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana (1989-90), Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre (three straight from 1995-97), Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (2008-09) and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (2020-21).
Last year, Allen became the third Bills MVP winner, joining running backs O.J. Simpson (1973) and Thurman Thomas (1991).
In 1974, Simpson followed up with a league-high 270 rushing attempts (1,125 yards), but only three rushing touchdowns. In 1992, Thomas gained a career-high 1,487 yards (nine rushing touchdowns).
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Allen threw 28 touchdown passes against only six interceptions while going 13-3 (he played one snap in the final game) and rushed for 12 touchdowns. He wasn’t first-team All-Pro (ridiculous, right?), but beat out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for MVP.
Allen will get plenty of national stage opportunities to impress voters – five prime-time games and four 4:25 p.m. national window games (so far).
On the roster
Four: Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White and Shane Buechele.
How many on the 53
Two. The Bills usually keep two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and one on the practice squad.
Most impactful offseason move
Ripping up Allen’s contract.
Even though four years remained on his deal, Allen was rewarded with a six-year, $330 million contract that included $250 million guaranteed. Allen’s average salary of $55 million is tied for second-most among NFL quarterbacks with Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence. Dallas’ Dak Prescott is first at $60 million.
Allen has a cap hit of $36.34 million this year before it climbs to $56.39 million in 2026 and $53.11 million in 2027. The contract carries him through his age-34 season in 2030.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky enters the second season of his second tour with the team. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Biggest question to answer in camp
Does Trubisky keep the backup job?
Trubisky, in his second year of his second tour with the Bills, has 57 career regular-season starts (31-26 record) and thus is the favorite entering camp to keep the spot.
The competition is basically Trubisky vs. himself. If he proves productive in his preseason work, he will be the No. 2 quarterback and White likely heads to the practice squad for the second consecutive year.
Under-the-radar player
We have to pick somebody, right? Since entering the NFL in 2021, Buechele hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game, spending 2021-22 on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, 2023 on the Bills’ practice squad and 2024 on the Bills’ injured reserve (preseason neck injury). Buechele’s best bet at sticking around is on the practice squad if White beats out Trubisky for the No. 2 spot.
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