Josh Allen isn’t hiding from the pain of another missed opportunity. The Buffalo Bills quarterback, still processing a gut-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on January 17, spoke candidly about how close his team came to keeping their Super Bowl hopes alive - and what might’ve been if just one play had gone differently.
“I’d be lying to you if I’m sitting here saying that I feel like I had part in it,” Allen said. “Because if I make one more play, that game in Denver, we’re probably not having this press conference right now.
We’re probably not making a change. In all honesty, we’re probably getting ready to play another game.”
It’s the kind of raw honesty you expect from a franchise quarterback - one who knows the weight of expectations in Buffalo, and one who’s worn them for nearly a decade. Allen’s comments weren’t meant as excuses. They were the words of a competitor replaying the margins, the inches, the single moments that define seasons in the NFL.
But social media didn’t exactly offer him grace. Critics were quick to pounce, pointing out that even a win over Denver wouldn’t have guaranteed a Super Bowl berth, with the New England Patriots still looming in the AFC bracket. The online reaction was swift and unforgiving, with some users mocking Allen’s hypothetical musings and reminding him - harshly - that he’s yet to lead the Bills to the big game.
The truth is, Allen’s “what if” wasn’t about rewriting history - it was about accountability. He’s the face of the franchise, and he knows it. And now, with Buffalo’s season over, the focus shifts to what comes next.
The fallout from the playoff exit was immediate. Head coach Sean McDermott, who helped lead the Bills out of the wilderness but couldn’t quite get them over the hump, was relieved of his duties. In his place steps Joe Brady, the former offensive coordinator now tasked with guiding the next phase of Allen’s career - and finally pushing Buffalo past the AFC ceiling that’s held them back.
It’s a pivotal moment for the franchise. Allen is still in his prime, but the window doesn’t stay open forever. The AFC East is no cakewalk, and with the Patriots now prepping for their 12th Super Bowl appearance - this time behind rookie sensation Drake Maye - the pressure on Buffalo is only intensifying.
While Allen has remained active off the field, his focus remains clear: bring a Lombardi Trophy to a city that’s been waiting far too long. That mission won’t get any easier, especially with cap decisions and roster shakeups looming this offseason. But if there’s one thing Allen has shown, it’s that he’s not afraid to shoulder the blame - or the burden.
This February, instead of suiting up, Allen will be watching from the couch as his rivals take the stage at Super Bowl LX. It’s not where he wants to be. And based on how he’s talking, it’s not where he plans to stay.