What does Josh Allen need to do for the Bills to make the next step in 2023?

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has quickly cemented himself as one of the best in the league at his position.

The 27-year-old, drafted seventh overall by the Bills in 2018, is known for his power when throwing and rushing the football. He has been at the forefront of Buffalo’s recent success and is vital for the franchise’s future chances.

As we head into a new season, it’s the perfect time to look at what makes him so good and what he can improve to push Buffalo to the next level.

Why Allen is one of the best out there

As previously stated, Allen has an outstanding capability to heave the ball downfield when needed. The Buffalo offence is very explosive with various weapons, such as Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.

Last season we saw Allen hit on some big plays downfield, contributing significantly to Buffalo’s success. His foresight to evade pressure in the pocket contributes to his tremendous passing ability. Due to Allen’s size, he can run with the ball effectively, which causes a lot of trouble for opposition defenses as they struggle to bring him down.

The improvement in his game since he entered the NFL, has been night and day. It is evident when looking at his PFF grades over the years, with the quarterback’s third season being where he took a monumental step forward. Allen graded in the 60s for the first two seasons of his career, but from his third year, he has consistently graded in the 90s. 

How can he take his game to the next level

Even though Allen is one of the best players in the league today, his game still has weaknesses. Ball security has been an issue for Allen throughout his career.

The former Wyoming Cowboy has thrown 60 interceptions in the NFL and that issue has not improved over time either, with him throwing 14 interceptions last season alone. That is is an issue in today’s NFL, especially as it’s becoming a more pass-heavy league. It is essential for a quarterback to have the ability to perform their best in the big moments.

Players like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow show they are indispensable during playoff time. Allen, so far, has yet to demonstrate this ability in the playoffs, as Buffalo has yet to make it to an AFC Championship game with him.

The most significant missed opportunities came in the last two seasons. Both Burrow and Mahomes have knocked him out in the divisional round. These two results have disappointed the Bills, as they arguably had the best roster in both years. 

Allen will most likely have a great legacy when his time in the league comes to an end. However, like everyone else, he has something that could be improved that would aid his team to becoming more successful.