University of Kwazulu-Natal

Josh Allen Has Always Been That Guy Teammates Past And Present

Bonisiwe Shabane
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josh allen has always been that guy teammates past and present

Editor's note: This piece was originally posted on Jan. 24. It was updated on Thursday after Allen was awarded the 2024 MVP. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Building a connection with the players around him has always been important to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Even when he was in high school in Firebaugh, California, Allen would gather his wide receivers and running backs to practice in the summer.

The idea came from something his offensive coordinator Mike Martinez told him -- to prioritize the "before and after," being there for his teammates between the plays. Allen took that idea and began initiating extra work, including staying after the unofficial practice, to repeat routes. There were occasions when the receivers wanted to go home, but Allen would ask them to stay, to also get in the work. In similar fashion, Allen organized a workout in Nashville in July, as he has in the past, with all of the Bills receivers, running backs and tight ends before training camp. Allen still connects with his teammates today by leading the charge and reinforcing bonds -- especially in a season when a majority of the receiver room was filled with new faces. Alaina GetzenbergJan 24, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Building a connection with the players around him has always been important to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Even when he was in high school in Firebaugh, California, Allen would gather his wide receivers and running backs to practice in the summer. The idea came from something his offensive coordinator Mike Martinez told him — to prioritize the “before and after,” being there for his teammates between the plays. Allen took that idea and began initiating extra work, including staying after the unofficial practice, to repeat routes. There were occasions when the receivers wanted to go home, but Allen would ask them to stay, to also get in the work.

In similar fashion, Allen organized a workout in Nashville in July, as he has in the past, with all of the Bills receivers, running backs and tight ends before training camp. Allen still connects with his teammates today by leading the charge and reinforcing bonds — especially in a season when a majority of the receiver room was filled with new faces. The supporting cast of players around Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has been changing over the past two offseasons. And he's starting to encounter some new experiences with teammates that he hasn't had before. Including some who were fans of his before they themselves reached the pro level. “We got Joe Andreessen last year, and the whole thing was like he was wearing 17 jerseys years back—he’s from Buffalo,” Allen said to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

“I mean, it’s starting to get there. I’ve had a couple of teammates come up to me and be like, Man, I’ve used you in Madden forever. Things like that. But those are still few and far between.” As he enters what will become his age-30 season, on the back of an MVP campaign, Allen realizes the importance of continuing to be a leader to younger players while also building those relationships... Editor's note: This piece was originally posted on Jan.

24. It was updated on Thursday after Allen was awarded the 2024 MVP. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Building a connection with the players around him has always been important to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Even when he was in high school in Firebaugh, California, Allen would gather his wide receivers and running backs to practice in the summer. The idea came from something his offensive coordinator Mike Martinez told him -- to prioritize the "before and after," being there for his teammates between the plays.

Allen took that idea and began initiating extra work, including staying after the unofficial practice, to repeat routes. There were occasions when the receivers wanted to go home, but Allen would ask them to stay, to also get in the work. In similar fashion, Allen organized a workout in Nashville in July, as he has in the past, with all of the Bills receivers, running backs and tight ends before training camp. Allen still connects with his teammates today by leading the charge and reinforcing bonds -- especially in a season when a majority of the receiver room was filled with new faces. ‘His leadership and his mentality is kind of infectious for the whole team.’ “I’ve got no problem with where I’m at right now”

Josh Allen took the microphone after Buffalo Bills practice earlier in the week, and members of the media hit him with a barrage of questions covering everything from his growth to his worth to... Allen, being the professional he is, handled the questions with ease, hurdling the challenges thrown at him like he hurdles linebackers. Asked about his growth as a leader, something some have hinted at being a weakness of the 28-year-old quarterback, Allen said that he’s not going to stop being himself. “I think there’s a level of trying to always be who I am. Be myself. Be as authentic as possible.

That’s a joyous guy who loves to have fun. I love the game of football. I love life,” Allen said that none of that information was news to anyone who had watched him. “But there’s times where there doesn’t need to be joking around. Time to get serious. Over the years, I’ve found when that is the most critical.

Over the years, from players we’ve brought in and from coaches I’ve learned how to be the best leader of this team that I can be. Ultimately it comes to being myself and I’ve been myself since I’ve been here. Coach McDermott talks about ‘Be you with us,’ and that’s what I’m trying to do.” The big question of the day came when talking numbers — and not the ones on the scoreboards. When asked how he feels about falling in ranks in terms of getting paid after quarterbacks Jordan Love, Joe Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence reeled in $55 million a year contracts moving Allen out of...

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Editor's Note: This Piece Was Originally Posted On Jan. 24.

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