The Buffalo Bills are set to have Josh Allen and other key starters participate in their preseason opener on August 10.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott revealed on Thursday that Allen, who has had limited preseason play in previous years, will be on the field for nearly a quarter of the team’s first preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
McDermott emphasized the importance of getting starters prepared for the upcoming season, which includes getting Allen some game time.
“It’s really about getting them ramped up and ready for the season,” McDermott explained, according to ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg. “It’s a crucial step, as it’s difficult to replicate game speed. Preseason helps with that, along with going through warmups, experiencing the energy of playing in front of fans, and managing those dynamics. There are many reasons for this, and as I said, it’s just another step.”
Coach McDermott: @JoshAllenQB will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Bears. #CHIvsBUF pic.twitter.com/LJ8M5dqczo
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 8, 2024
No Set Plan for Josh Allen’s Playing Time
McDermott mentioned that there isn’t a set plan for how much time Josh Allen will spend on the field throughout the Bills’ three preseason games this year. He suggested that the preseason could be an opportunity for Allen to build chemistry with the new wide receivers added to the roster this offseason.
“We’ll approach it week by week,” McDermott said. “There are several new faces on our offense, including in the receiving corps, so that’s part of the equation. But the main focus is to get everyone individually prepared and then proceed from there.”
The Bills have made significant changes to their offense, with top receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis leaving this offseason. They’ve brought in veterans like Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Chase Claypool. Additionally, the preseason will be the first chance for the team’s top draft pick, wide receiver Keon Coleman, to experience live-game action.
Josh Allen Ready for Anything
Before McDermott publicly confirmed that Josh Allen would see playing time in the first preseason game, the quarterback had expressed a flexible attitude towards the decision. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Allen acknowledged the advantages of both playing and sitting out.
“I don’t think it makes much of a difference for me at this stage in my career,” Allen said, according to ESPN. “It would be nice to get things rolling, but I also understand the importance of staying healthy and being cautious. It’s a double-edged sword. If I’m asked to play, I’ll play. If I’m told not to, I won’t. The competitive side of me wants to play, but I also recognize we still have time before Week 1.”
Last year, Allen didn’t participate in the team’s first preseason game but played in the second, completing 7-of-10 passes for 64 yards in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also appeared in the postseason finale, going 5-of-7 for 49 yards in a win over the Bears.
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