When you talk about the elite quarterbacks in today’s NFL, Josh Allen’s name doesn’t just come up-it demands a seat at the table. The reigning MVP has become a weekly highlight reel for the Buffalo Bills, combining a cannon for an arm with bruising physicality and surprising agility for a guy who looks like he could’ve been a linebacker in another life.
He’s not just a quarterback-he’s a one-man wrecking crew. And while the debate over who’s the best in the league will always rage on, there’s no question Allen belongs in that conversation.
But here’s the wild part: rewind to 2018, and the idea of Allen becoming this version of himself would’ve sounded like a stretch-even to the most die-hard Bills fans. Back then, Allen was a raw, big-armed prospect out of Wyoming-a player with tools, sure, but also one with serious question marks. Fast forward to now, and NFL analyst Bucky Brooks is calling him something no one could’ve predicted at the time: “the most improved quarterback prospect we’ve ever seen.”
That’s not hyperbole. That’s a testament to just how far Allen has come.
Let’s go back to where it started. Allen was the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the Bills were clearly betting big on upside.
He had the size, the athleticism, and that rocket launcher of a right arm. But he also had mechanics that needed serious work.
His throwing motion was inconsistent, his footwork was all over the place, and his accuracy was, frankly, a mess. Coming out of college, he was completing barely over 56% of his passes-and that was against Mountain West defenses.
His rookie season didn’t do much to quiet the doubters. Allen took over as the starter midway through the year and struggled through growing pains.
He completed just 52.8% of his passes, threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10), and finished with 2,074 passing yards in 12 games. Sure, he flashed his mobility-running for 631 yards and eight scores-but as a passer, the concerns were real.
Then came the transformation.
In Year 2, Allen started to turn the corner. His completion rate ticked up to 58.8%, and he cut down on the turnovers.
It wasn’t a breakout just yet, but it was progress. And from there, he just kept climbing.
Year after year, Allen refined his mechanics, sharpened his decision-making, and began to look more and more like the franchise quarterback Buffalo had envisioned. His completion percentage never dipped below 63% after that, and the turnover issues that once plagued him began to fade.
The payoff? An MVP trophy last season, earned by outdueling Lamar Jackson and the rest of the field. Allen didn’t just improve-he evolved into one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in football.
And he’s not slowing down.
Through 13 games this season, Allen is completing passes at a career-best 70.1% clip. He’s thrown for 3,083 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
That alone would be impressive. But then you add in the 487 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, and you realize: this guy is doing it all.
He’s a dual-threat nightmare, a quarterback who can beat you from the pocket or bulldoze you in the red zone.
It’s not just the stats, though. It’s the way he plays.
The confidence. The command.
The ability to take over a game and drag his team to the finish line-whether with a 50-yard laser down the sideline or a third-and-7 scramble where he runs through a linebacker.
Josh Allen’s story isn’t just about talent. It’s about development.
It’s about what happens when raw potential meets relentless work ethic and a franchise willing to build around its guy. From project to MVP, Allen’s rise is one of the most remarkable quarterback evolutions we’ve seen in recent memory.
He may not be the GOAT just yet, but when it comes to improvement? He might already have that title locked up.