Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Getty
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen just got some stellar news that should make him brag-worthy going into the 2026-27 season.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is facing some lofty expectations for the upcoming NFL season.
The Bills underwent some massive changes, parting ways with longtime coach Sean McDermott and installing offensive coordinator Joe Brady in his place. The team has also undergone some sweeping roster changes, parting ways with a series of veterans on defense.
The changes haven’t done much to lessen expectations, with the Bills still considered among the Super Bowl favorites and Allen now the top pick to add another MVP trophy.
Josh Allen an Early MVP Favorite
In an early assessment of MVP odds for the upcoming season, Fox Sports noted that Allen is at the top of the pack. The Bills quarterback had a slight edge on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was locked in a tight race with Allen for MVP two years ago.
“Allen won the award in 2024, receiving 27 first-place votes compared to 22 for Lamar Jackson,” the report noted. “That year, Allen threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 12 scores. Allen finished third in MVP voting this past season, receiving two first-place votes.”
There are many other top quarterbacks on the list, with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes listed as third in the odds despite suffering a season-ending knee injury last year. Others on the list include Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, Drake Maye, and Matthew Stafford.
Bills Could Add More Firepower for Josh Allen
Allen faced some difficulties in the 2025 season, with the team’s wide receiver group often struggling to get separation and opposing defenses putting pressure on Allen as a result. The team was forced to make some late-season changes to help the group, signing Mecole Hardman and picking up Brandin Cooks off waivers.
The team made more changes this offseason, landing DJ Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Some analysts believe the Bills will continue to invest in the offense, predicting they will take a receiver with their first-round pick.
ESPN’s Matt Miller predicted the Bills would land Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with their top pick.
“Cooper is an accomplished route runner with experience in the slot and on the outside,” Miller wrote. “He’s dependable with great hands — only three drops on 94 targets last season — and the physicality to run through contact before and after the catch.”
NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein praised Cooper, who played both in the slot and outside with the Hoosiers.
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape,” Zierlein wrote. “While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well. He can stem and drive past press with his strength. He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep.”
Zierlein added that Cooper’s routes still lack polish and he has some average quickness, but makes up for it by being “rugged once the ball is in his hands.”
“His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana,” Zierlein wrote. “Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement.”