The three newest Buffalo Bills formally introduced themselves Thursday and one name was repeatedly uttered when it came to explaining why they wanted to play for the Bills.
Let’s not get it twisted, and for players, it goes without saying. Money is always the most enticing reason to play for any team. It’s a job after all.
But some players are willing to sacrifice some money if it comes with a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl. The Bills provide that opportunity and quarterback Josh Allen is the biggest reason.
“He’s worthy of all the talk,” new Bills outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “… He takes the hits, he gives the hits. So I’m excited to be on his side.”
It’s not a new sentiment. Newly-signed free agents have been saying it for years during their introductory press conferences with the Bills. But it hits a bit differently this year, less than two months after owner Terry Pegula, general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Joe Brady made it clear Allen was the centerpiece of the entire franchise.
Allen turns 30 next month. He could play another 10 years, he could play another five. There’s no guarantee he’s got more football in front of him than behind him. And the Bills are aware they can’t let his career slip by without winning a Super Bowl.
The Bills have been talking about Super Bowls since falling short in the AFC championship game in 2020. They once had a massive “Super Bowl-caliber” banner hanging in the field house and Von Miller brought a replica Lombardi Trophy to keep in the locker room when he signed in 2022.
One of the ways to pursue a Super Bowl is having players who have done it before. In nine years under coach Sean McDermott, the Bills signed 29 players who appeared in a Super Bowl and 13 who won one.
That’s not a bad strategy and it’s a common one. But what about successful veterans who have never been there and are hungry for the chance?
After eight seasons, D.J. Moore appeared in his first playoff game for the Chicago Bears this season. Chubb played in one — for the Miami Dolphins in 2022 — and was injured the week before the Dolphins played the Bills for the AFC East championship in the 2023 regular-season finale. Cornerback Dee Alford never played in a playoff game in four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
“I went to the Super Bowl (as a spectator). I saw what it’s like. I saw the atmosphere, I saw the feeling. And I just want to win,” Chubb said. “I want to make sure I win. And end up getting released. Free agency came, and I feel like this put me in the best position to do that.”
Buffalo is attempting to take steps toward that by complementing Allen with an attacking defense. Chubb played for Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph — the man new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard worked for the last two seasons — as a rookie in 2018, while Alford played for one of the NFL’s most aggressive defenses last year.
And another way to take the next step is finding ways to make Allen’s life easier. Moore, a receiver with six career 1,100-yard seasons, should be able to do that.
Although Allen ranks ninth in passing yards over the last two seasons, he hasn’t finished in the top-10 individually in either of the last two years. It comes after ranking in the top-10 four seasons in a row and having the second-most yards behind Patrick Mahomes from 2020-2023.
And despite averaging 20 yards fewer per game the last two years, the Bills are averaging the same yards per play (5.9) and their points per game have jumped from 28.6 to 29.6.
But there have been times the passing game was difficult and clunky. A player like Moore gives Allen an outlet when plays break down or he needs to rely on a receiver to make a play in a critical moment.
It’s a fresh start for Moore, who failed to reach 1,000 yards the last two seasons and there were rumors he clashed with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and new coach Ben Johnson. Moore played for Brady from 2020-2021 in Carolina and it’s hard to not have chemistry with Allen.
“He’s a field general,” Moore said. “You see him out there trying to conduct things. And the way he does it is successful and I just want to be a part of that.”
There were some laughs for Allen, though. Alford intends to remind Allen that he intercepted him near the end of the first half of a Week 6 game the Falcons beat the Bills 24-14.
“Playing a great quarterback like Josh Allen, you got to be prepared,” Alford said. “You got to put in the work … watch a little bit more film that week. … I watched a lot of film, and I was able to get my guy, Josh Allen. I’m going to joke about that in the locker room.”
NOTES: The Bills officially announced the signing of backup quarterback Kyle Allen to a two-year contract.