Josh Allen
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the AFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills have a new coaching staff, but they’re keeping the same offseason message for quarterback Josh Allen — keep yourself safe.
Head coach Joe Brady addressed the quarterback’s late-season struggles with injuries after Allen hurt his foot in a win over the Cleveland Browns and played hurt for the remainder of the season. Allen later had to undergo surgery and was seen on crutches at the press conference announcing Brady as head coach.
Josh Allen Warned to Stay Safe
Speaking to reporters this week, Brady sent a message to Allen about his often free-wheeling style of play. Allen has been known to scramble and invite contact with opposing defenders, which has gotten him into injury trouble regularly.
Allen played with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand last year after leaping into a defender for a Week 1 touchdown, then was hurt again when scrambling against the Browns last season.
Brady made it clear that it’s up to Allen to keep himself better protected.
“Bills HC Joe Brady talks about making sure they protect QB Josh Allen and he protects himself ‘if it was up to him he’d run all the time,’ ” wrote reporter Dianna Russini in a post on X.
Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have both sent similar warnings to Allen in the past, especially after played hurt through the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Though Allen was seen limping and wearing a walking boot earlier this year when Brady was announced, the team’s new head coach had an optimistic outlook for his return. Brady said he expects Allen to be present when the team starts its first offseason workouts next week.
“I’m not sitting in this chair without Josh. We’re in this together, and we gotta hold each other accountable,” Brady said. “I know how important that is for him to be, especially Day 1, he’s gonna be sitting in that chair, hoping that everybody else will as well.”
Brady also shared praise for the way Allen is able to juggle all of his off-the-field interests while still remaining fully committed to the team. Allen tied the knot with Hailee Steinfeld last year, and the two are expecting their first child very soon.
“When you’re Josh Allen, you got marketing, you got stuff, now you got family,” Brady said. “I’m understanding of guys might not be able to be there every single day at every single moment. What I know is if Josh can, he will.”
Bills Taking Pressure Off Josh Allen
The Bills took measures to keep Allen better protected in recent seasons, including a bigger investment in the run game in the form of a long-term contract for running back James Cook. The team gave Cook a greater share of carries last season and he rewarded the team with the first rushing title for the franchise in more than 50 years.
During Brady’s tenure as offensive coordinator, the Bills also cut back on the number of designed runs for Allen, while Allen himself has worked harder to avoid contact with defenders rather than invite it.