The Buffalo Bills’ star quarterback Josh Allen continues to face challenges during training camp, as head coach Sean McDermott recently confirmed that Allen will not appear in any preseason games. This announcement came amid mounting speculation from Bills fans eager to see their leader in action before the regular season begins. Instead, Allen’s preparation will be limited to practices leading up to Week 1, when the Bills face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.
McDermott addressed Allen’s absence from the preseason games in an interview with Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, emphasizing the delicate balance between playing time and injury risk.
“I would love to, if you could put him in a bubble (and) guarantee me that he wasn’t going to get hurt,”
McDermott said.
“For every player, you’d love to be able to say, ‘Hey, let’s get out there and let’s play three good games, and we’ll ramp you up each game and so on and so forth.’ It’s just really hard to say that. So, in Josh’s case, really using practice to see where he’s at and how he feels. And I’m giving him some ownership as well, which I think is important. He knows by now what he needs in order to be ready. Then, this other piece over here is his time with healthy receivers. I think that’s probably kind of that next chapter of the book right now.”
Challenges at Training Camp Highlight Josh Allen’s Current Form
Despite the absence of preseason game action, Bills fans have been closely watching Allen’s live practices. However, the performances have not been as encouraging as they had hoped. In joint practices against the Chicago Bears defense, Allen was intercepted three times, a feat that mirrored the struggles of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the same session. As reported by Sun Sentinel’s David Furones, Allen’s interceptions raised concerns but were met with measured responses within the organization.
The majority of Allen’s interceptions resulted either from tipped passes at the line of scrimmage or risky throws into traffic as he continued testing tight windows. Coaches and teammates recognize that such mistakes are part of the process in honing timing and decision-making. At Highmark Stadium, while there is no panic, the acknowledgments of these hurdles are evident. Promising flashes surfaced as well, with tight end Dalton Kincaid and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman impressing against Chicago’s secondary. A highlight play featured Allen perfectly connecting with Coleman, who outpaced his defender for a significant gain, reinforcing Allen’s trust in key offensive weapons as the season approaches.
Super Bowl Expectations Face Skepticism from Former Champion
As the 2025 NFL season looms, the Buffalo Bills enter with significant expectations, driven largely by Allen’s continued standout performances. However, not all experts are convinced about the team’s ability to surpass its postseason limitations—especially when facing perennial <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC powerhouse, the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Super Bowl champion Chris Canty openly expressed doubts about Allen leading Buffalo beyond its usual hurdles.
Addressing his confidence level in Allen’s potential to guide the Bills to a Super Bowl victory, Canty gave a stark assessment during a conversation with Molly Qerim:
“Scale of 1-10, I put it at a one.”
Despite this harsh ranking, Canty praised Allen’s talent, stating he is
“the most talented quarterback in the NFL, alongside Lamar Jackson,”
and acknowledged the Bills as
“the landlords of the AFC East.”
Yet, Canty emphasized that talent alone is insufficient for postseason success, reminding fans of Allen’s 0-4 playoff record against Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, a consistent force since becoming full-time starter in 2018.
Mahomes’ dominance in the AFC, including five Super Bowl appearances in the last six years, has cemented the Chiefs as one of Buffalo’s biggest obstacles. Canty underscored this challenge, saying,
“In order to get to the Super Bowl out of the AFC, you’re going to have to deal with Patrick Mahomes… he has been in the NFL final four”
in every AFC championship since 2018. This makes the upcoming season critical for Allen and the Bills as they aim to overcome a significant mental and tactical barrier.
The Quiet Struggle in Practice: What It Means for Buffalo’s Season
Josh Allen’s struggles in practice sessions highlight a nuanced situation for Buffalo. While the team does not expect to field Allen in the preseason, the quarterback’s current work under pressure reveals areas that need refinement before regular-season kickoff. The interceptions against the Bears’ defense, while concerning, reflect a quarterback still searching for timing and rhythm rather than a decline in skill.
The chemistry Allen has started to build with weapons like Kincaid and Coleman offers optimism that the offense can find momentum quickly once games begin. At the same time, Allen’s cautious ramp-up plan set by McDermott suggests the team values long-term readiness over short-term flashes, aiming to safeguard their most valuable asset for the regular season battles ahead.
High Stakes Ahead as Buffalo Aims to Break Through AFC Ceiling
The 2025 season stands as a crucial test for both the Bills and Josh Allen. The roster and coaching staff have constructed a competitive lineup, but the road to the Super Bowl remains blocked by the Chiefs’ sustained excellence. For Allen, this campaign presents a defining opportunity to rewrite narratives about postseason shortcomings and finally overcome Patrick Mahomes’ shadow in the AFC.
Buffalo’s fans, known collectively as Bills Mafia, remain deeply invested in their team’s journey despite the early-season uncertainties. Allen’s absence from preseason games and the rough joint practice outings raise pressing questions about how ready the offense will be, but the overall belief in his talent and leadership remains intact. The next few weeks of practice, culminating in Allen’s return for the season opener, will be vital in setting the tone for what the Bills hope is a breakthrough year.