The Buffalo Bills named rookie quarterback Josh Allen as their starter already, demonstrating that the Bills distrust the process of rebuilding they often preach about.
Allen performed admirably in his first start, completing 18 of 34 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It was a much better effort at the position than the previous week, but Allen was hurried and made a fair share of rookie mistakes.
The Bills turned to Allen after second-year man Nathan Peterman turned in another miserable performance in their week one loss to the Baltimore Ravens, throwing for 24 yards and two interceptions in less than three quarters of action.
The process of what led to this decision is what is head-scratching. The Bills’ front office, helmed by general manager Brandon Beane, made multiple personnel moves to bolster the defense but did very little to improve the offense. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the Bills planned to anoint Allen as the starter during the preseason until he played poorly against the Cincinnati Bengals in week three.
If that was the case, then why would the Bills front office surround their quarterback of the future with so little talent?
Bills Distrust the Process by Naming Allen Starter
Beane Ignores Offense in Off-Season
The Bills moved on from quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a conservative but limited passer that isn’t someone who’d get the keys to the franchise. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns this past off-season and is spending 2018 as their starter and mentor to Baker Mayfield, the first pick of the draft.
The Bills then spent the rest of the off-season either acquiring draft capital or signing defensive talent. Beane acquired defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, edge rusher Trent Murphy, and cornerback Vontae Davis. He also re-signed aging fan-favorite defensive tackle, Kyle Williams to a one-year, six million dollar deal.
Bills’ 2018 free agent class/APY:
Star Lotulelei, $10M
Trent Murphy, $7.5M
Vontae Davis, $5M
Chris Ivory, $2.75M
Russell Bodine, $2.5M
Rafael Bush, $1.75M
Marshall Newhouse, $1.5M
Julian Stanford, $1.5M
Jeremy Kerley, $960k
Phillip Gaines, $880kAJ McCarron, traded, $4M dead
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 10, 2018
The Bills also failed to address wide receiver, one of their worst positions in 2017. They signed veteran Jeremy Kerley, only for him to be cut after the first regular season game. They also waited until the sixth round to select a receiver this past draft, a return specialist in Clemson’s Ray-Ray McCloud.
McCarron Was Never Starter Material
AJ McCarron was signed by the Bills in March after spending the first four seasons of his career as Andy Dalton‘s backup in Cincinnati. He is a below-average talent with a weak arm, but in spot duty with the Bengals, he looked like a decent rhythm passer that could manage the game.
This move made it seem as if McCarron would be the presumptive starter and placeholder for whichever rookie they selected in the draft. The front office passed over multiple more-proven options like Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater. The former two received larger contracts from the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, but the Bills decided on McCarron.
Signing the Alabama product made sense if the Bills chose a more pro-ready option in the draft. UCLA’s Josh Rosen was available and was the most polished passer in the draft, and he would have fit nicely in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s scheme. Yet they decided on Allen, whose tremendously raw talent and slow eyes make him a boom-or-bust developmental prospect.
Unimpressive during training camp and preseason, McCarron was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a fifth-round pick.
Bills had no contingency plan
The plan, or the process, was probably that McCarron would start at quarterback while surrounded by a mediocre offense. The Bills would rely heavily on their defense and the running game as they had in 2017, led by All-Pro back LeSean McCoy. They have massive projected cap room in 2019, so they’d build up talent on offense in free agency and the draft the following spring. This would’ve allowed a more experienced Allen to challenge for the starting role and be protected some on a much more talented offense.
When McCarron turned out to be a dud, they were forced to choose between Peterman and Allen. Peterman played well in the preseason and won the job after Allen played poorly with the starters against the Bengals in the preseason dress rehearsal.
Entering the regular season with Peterman as the starter proved to be disastrous, as he played just as poorly as he did in his first career start. They now turn to Allen, who struggles with seeing the field. He has trouble with accuracy, decision-making and often breaks the pocket too early. Prospects like Allen often don’t reach their lofty potential due to the time constraints on a quarterback’s development.
Baptism by Fire
Allen now must learn on the fly. The Bills have put him in too early at this point of his development. Before the start of the 2000s, when it became commonplace for rookie quarterbacks to play immediately, young signal callers often rode the pine during their formative years. This was because the difference between college and the NFL was vast for quarterbacks. In today’s NFL, offenses have adapted to incorporate college schemes, making it easier for quarterbacks to come in and succeed at the pro level.
Allen entered the draft process as an old-fashioned quarterback prospect. He has all the measurables but he needs to actually learn the position. His potential is sky-high and probably was the highest among the quarterbacks available in the draft. However, he needs time to sit and learn the speed of the game and how to read complex defensive schemes.
Instead, he gets to start right away behind a porous offensive line with no talented weapons outside of McCoy. It will be difficult to shield Allen like better-assembled teams can with their young quarterbacks.
The Bills aren’t doing right by Allen or their own process, and it’s their own fault they’re in this position. Only time will tell if Allen can overcome these poor personnel decisions made by Beane and the front office.
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