Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Training camp at St. John Fisher University for the Buffalo Bills is officially over.
Things now head back to Orchard Park with the first and only home preseason game on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts.
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Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley will get all the snaps at quarterback on Saturday, as starter Josh Allen, as well as veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs are not going to play, as confirmed by head coach Sean McDermott.
This is Kyle Allen’s sixth NFL training camp after spending two with the Carolina Panthers, two with Washington Commanders and one with Houston Texans. Allen says this experience with the Bills was one of his better ones.
"When I was in Carolina, we would go out to college too and stay in the dorms. It was cool, so I haven’t done that in the last three years. I really like that environment," said Allen during his meeting with the media after Thursday's practice.
"I liked coming here, because you have everything here from whenever you wake up until at night when you’re just with the boys. It’s been great. This camp has been awesome. It’s one of my favorite ones."
Allen has had some ups and downs, especially getting in sync with center Mitch Morse. Despite that, Allen feels he’s been just fine.
"This was a big training camp for me, because I need reps in this offense," he said. "I got a ton of reps, we installed a ton of stuff over the last 15 days, and I think it was big for me just to work through things and figure out how I fit into this offense, and how things will work for me."
Allen is very confident in his abilities. He says with a new team, it’s up in your head.
"It’s all mental," Allen said. "From a quarterbacking perspective coming into a new offense, especially one as dense as this, the learning curve is big. You’ve got to go out on the field and work through those plays so you have a plan for everything that can be thrown at you."
Allen has enjoyed being on the field and in the quarterback room with his starter and good friend Josh Allen. He says having a different perspective helps him see the playbook differently.
"It’s been great to be able to ask him questions and how he sees things, especially with a guy standing behind center," Kyle said.
"He sees things differently on a lot of plays, and then I talk to him, I get to go out and try them on the field."
Allen says he has all new receivers and backs, but with OTAs and training camp, he feels now he’s just solidifying his chemistry with the skill players.
Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was fired as the quarterbacks coach of the Panthers just before Allen got there. He says he’s enjoyed being with him in Buffalo.
"It’s great to be able to just talk through things with him," Allen said. "He loves to call stuff from way back when to see like OTA 2 practice, so you’ve got to be dialed on the whole offense.
"With him, there’s a lot of focus on situational football, which is the most important part of football. We get reps on it every day."
In five seasons, Allen has 19 career starts in the NFL, going 7-12-0. He’s completed 62.6% of his passes, hitting for 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Saturday's kickoff in Orchard Park is set for 1 p.m. ET.
