Pittsford, N.Y. (WBEN) - In Western New York, Josh Allen is, arguably, the most beloved Buffalo Bills figure since the early 1990s when the team made trips to four-consecutive Super Bowls, led by the likes of Pro Football Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith.
While No. 17 on the field may be No. 1 in the hearts of many members of "Bills Mafia", there are others that may not give Allen as much respect around the National Football League.
Just last week, the NFL completed its reveal of the NFL Top-100 list, a ranking of the best players currently in the league that's voted on by the players. Coming in just outside of the top-10 on the list at No. 12 was Allen, who managed to receive the only other first place MVP vote for his play over the course of the 2023 season.
While his 2023 campaign wasn't his best statistical season to date, the 28-year-old did help the Bills to a 6-1 stretch in the final seven games, where Buffalo ended up winning a fourth-straight AFC East division title. Along the way, Allen finished fourth in league passing yards, in a tie for fifth in passing touchdowns, while topping the league with 44 total touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson managed to win his second NFL MVP honor this past season, earning 49 of the possible 50 first place votes for the award.
Upon hearing of Allen's ranking on the NFL Top-100 list, it left a number of Bills fans perplexed, feeling the seventh-year quarterback doesn't garner enough respect around league circles.
"When I saw that, I was like, 'What the...?' That makes no sense," said Nick from Jamestown with WBEN at Bills training camp. "He was eighth last year and he did nothing to make it go down, at least in my opinion."
"I think he's in the top-10, first half, because he's better than all these other quarterbacks," added Bills fan Anthony from Geneseo. "If they put somebody higher than him, QB wise, what are you doing? We have a better QB. Of course he wasn't good in his first [couple] years, but now he's really good and hasn't been turning the ball over as much. So give him the benefit of the doubt."
Only two other quarterbacks managed to finish ahead of Allen atop the NFL Top-100 this year. Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes finished at No. 4 in the rankings, while Jackson - coming off another MVP season - was ranked second amongst his peers.
Finishing at No. 1 in the NFL Top-100 in 2024 ended up being Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Anthony is among many Bills fans who felt Allen was a better option for MVP last season.
"Of course he had too many interceptions, there was a problem with the offense earlier in the season. But now it's going to be better," he said. "We got [Joe] Brady, we got some new wide receiver weapons. But the thing is, everybody needs to calm down with the criticism."
Why do Bills fans believe Allen continues to be overlook by his peers and other league pundits?
Dylan from Hornell feels too many people are looking at certain statistics to make their point, rather than appreciating what impact he makes on the Bills overall.
"A lot of people had bad evaluations on him coming out of the draft. They see the interceptions and that's all they want to look at and say he's an inaccurate passer, and they were right about him coming out of college. But he's great player," said Dylan with WBEN at training camp.
For Bills fan Brian Sunderville from Ohio, he believes it's solely due to the team being unable to come up in the clutch around Allen.
"We haven't won a Super Bowl yet. Us winning an AFC Championship or a Super Bowl, there won't be any doubters after that," said Sunderville with WBEN. "And we turned over a No. 1 wide receiver, so we'll see what goes. But once the ball is in Allen's hands, magic happens. It doesn't really matter."
"We need that statement victory to get us over the hump. The Western New York area has been waiting for a moment like that for, what, 30 years now? It's time, so let's get it done," added Brian's brother, Tyler.
Nick feels most of the time, Allen is considered to be the second-best quarterback in the league behind Mahomes. He says it's trying to tamper those online that are simply trying to just get the fanbase angry.
"Obviously, you'll get some of the trolls online that will get you going, but every once in a while you'll hear somebody say something. But I feel like most of the time, it's just somebody to get people riled up. Or it's just some anonymous GM who probably won't be a GM for too much longer," Nick said.
Related
However, there are some Bills fans who do believe Allen gets the respect he deserves around the league. Nick from Bethel, N.Y. feels his 12th overall ranking in the NFL Top-100 is on par for how others are playing around the league right now.
"Sometimes maybe not enough, but for the most part, I think it's pretty fair. He's a dangerous quarterback, but it's fun to watch," said Nick with WBEN.
So what will it take for the doubters to change their minds with Allen this upcoming season in Buffalo? Nick from Jamestown feels it comes down to two things:
"One, win a Super Bowl, or at least make a Super Bowl, and the other without Stefon Diggs, let's see what his numbers are like this year. If he has another year like he's had in the past, I think that's going to shut most people up, unless he loses in the AFC Championship Game again," Nick said.
Dylan is also in agreeance with Nick, feeling if he can continue his ascension with the current roster in Buffalo, it will be hard for anyone to overlook him.
"This season, if he continues to put up the numbers he has without a guy like Stefon Diggs, people won't be able to say anything anymore. I feel like a lot of people are already writing him off because he doesn't have that guy. And if he plays well this year with the numbers he has in the past, there's really nothing people can say anymore," Dylan said.