Allen and Adams sat down for a candid conversation during training camp at St. John Fisher University. What did he have to say about his placement on the 2024 NFL Top 100 list?
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen sat down late last week for an interview with Kay Adams and the “Up & Adams” show. The conversation started innocently enough, first with Adam’s dubbing Allen “Mr. Hard Launch,” and then on the topic of Connor McGovern’s pizza muffins. But Adams didn’t waste much time getting down to the task at hand, which was to find out more about how Allen’s approaching this coming season.
Adams asked Allen how important a facet the chemistry-building aspect is with the 2024 version of the Bills. Allen acknowledged that it’s of great importance but that, for him, “it’s not so much about the on-field stuff, you know. It’s about the off-the-field stuff. Can I trust you? Can I get to know who you are? How do you tick — so I know how to talk to you as a leader, how to get the best out of you.”
Adams reminded Allen that over the last nine games of the 2023 NFL season, he threw more touchdowns than anyone else — 25 in total. Adams wondered if much of that was due to the work by offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Allen said what he loves about Brady is that “he really wants to call plays that we wanna run.” Allen explained that Brady will leave the meeting room the day before, telling the offense “I’m leaving. You guys figure out the first three runs that you want as an offensive line. Khalil Shakir, I want your favorite pass to get you going. Josh Allen, I want a quick game, I want a deep answer, and I want...” To which Allen understands that Brady’s thinking is along the lines of: “If you guys want it, you’ll make it work.”
Allen also believes that Joe Brady has a positive impact on the conceptual realm of his on-field decision making, explaining to Adams that it includes a deep understanding of every scenario during the scramble drill.
In addition to Allen’s impressive nine-game touchdown total last season, he ran for more yards than running back Saquon Barkley. Adams wondered if Allen wants to continuing running that much in 2024. Allen humbly said “I’ll do whatever is asked of me.” But he also added “I don’t like running, you know. I don’t like running in the offseason. I don’t like running sprints. I don’t like any of that stuff. The only time I like running is when there’s guys chasing me. So, trying to get outta that and let these other faster guys and quicker guys, and guys that can take some more hits. I mean, I can take a hit or two, but don’t wanna be in the business of that. So, find ways to get it to my backs and receivers and tight ends.”
Kay Adams brought up the 2024 NFL Top 100 list, and Allen’s placement at 12. She said to Allen: “Bills Mafia. Super pissed. Are you?” Allen said that he really doesn’t care and that entering his seventh year “if it’s not one it doesn’t matter, and the only way you really get to one is if you win the Super Bowl. So any of that, it’s all minutiae.”
On the subject of getting paid and his status on the list of top-paid quarterbacks, Josh Allen revealed that while some of these massive contracts look great on paper, they’re far different when you begin to dig deeper. He also knows it’s a matter of time until his contract is again up for negotiation, saying: “That time will come. Just gotta win football games.”
Allen and Adams covered a wide variety of ground, including rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman’s on-field approach, left tackle Dion Dawkins evolving as a leader, the refreshing, all-in vibe and chemistry of this year’s team, Catan game nights. and what he’s binge-watching this summer. There’s always plenty to catch up on with Josh Allen, which you can do so by checking out his full interview with “Up & Adams” below.