Josh Allen is set to take the field Saturday when the Bills open preseason play against the Panthers, and head coach Joe Brady said the plan is for all healthy players to suit up.
In his Thursday press conference, Brady made it clear the Bills are not treating this one like a dress rehearsal with the brakes on. “everybody that’s healthy is going to be playing out there on Saturday.”
That includes Allen, whose all-out style naturally raises the question of how much value there is in sending him into a game that doesn’t count. Brady didn’t flinch from that reality. He said Allen is wired a certain way, and the whole team needs to match that energy.
“I mean, you guys have had conversations with Josh and know how he plays. There’s only one way that he plays, right?”
Brady said. “And I think that’s a message to the whole football team.
… Like this is NFL football. Guys are fighting for their lives and there’s a physicality.
If you just dip your toe in, that’s when I think bad happens with that. So, if we’re out there going, we’re going.
“I would hope that he’s mindful of [it being the preseason], but I want him to be competitive and be Josh Allen. I hope everybody else kind of embraces that same mindset - wake up and let’s go play some football.”
Brady didn’t say how long the starters will stay in the game, though Allen is likely to get only a series or two.
The Bills and Panthers are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday in Orchard Park.
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