Josh Allen at 100 (starts): Bills quarterback looks back with seven years of on-, off-field memories
Bills quarterback Josh Allen will make his 100th career start on Sunday. He looks back at some of his other milestone starts.
Most of his current skill position players were in high school, his present offensive coordinator and quarterback coach shared an office as New Orleans Saints assistants and only four teammates continue to share a locker room with him.
It was September 16, 2018. The Bills, coming off a surprising playoff berth the season before, were 0-1 after a 47-3 opening-day loss at Baltimore. Ready or not, it was time for quarterback Josh Allen to make his first start.
Fast forward to Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Allen will make his 100th career regular-season start, joining Joe Ferguson and Jim Kelly as the only quarterbacks in Bills history to reach the milestone.
A first-round pick from Wyoming, Allen became the face of the franchise and tip of the collective spear that has won five consecutive AFC East titles and has the Bills at 4-2 this year and atop the division.
“Has it gone fast? Absolutely,” Allen told The Buffalo News. “I’m in Year 7 now, which is crazy to think about. I still feel young – I know 28 isn’t the youngest NFL player, but in terms of quarterbacks, I’d guess that’s middle of the road. It’s gone extremely fast.”
Extremely fast with extreme highs (three years of at least 35 touchdown passes and five playoff wins) and extreme lows (consecutive second-round home playoff losses). But overall, an extreme success.
“When you draft a franchise quarterback, it’s hard to get it right,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.
The Bills got it right, believing Allen’s athletic gifts and off-the-charts want-to level would make him a success.
After the Bills’ walk-through on Wednesday, Allen took a look back at his milestone first, 25th, 50th and 75th starts.
Start No. 1
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen admits his first NFL start against the Los Angeles Chargers was a “baptism by fire.” Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
L.A. Chargers (Sept. 16, 2018): The week before, Allen made his NFL debut in merciful relief of Nathan Peterman, who was benched after completing 5 of 19 passes and two interceptions. Allen was 6 of 15 and sacked three times and was named the starter for the home opener against the Chargers.
“There was a lot of energy in the building and a lot of people excited thinking, ‘What’s the kid got in him?’ ” Beane said. “He didn’t start the first game, but the way it went, a lot of people in the locker room (believed), ‘If we don’t have an established vet, let’s roll with (Allen).’ ”
Allen was 18 of 33 passing for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and rushed eight times for 34 yards in his first start. He was sacked five times.
“You could see his skill set,” Beane said. “He made some good throws, some bad throws, showed his athletic ability and he competed his butt off.”
Challenged to name his starting offensive line, Allen got four out of the five right – Dawkins, left guard Vladimir Ducasse, right guard John Miller and right tackle Jordan Mills. He thought Russell Bodine started at center, but it was Ryan Groy. Dawkins, cornerback Taron Johnson, linebacker Matt Milano and long snapper Reid Ferguson are the only other remaining Bills players from that game.
Asked what he remembers the most from start No. 1, Allen had a quick answer.
“I was so awful with my protection calls,” he said. “I was giving us odd-front calls (three-man front) to even fronts (four-man). I just remember having my head on a swivel, not really sure which direction they were bringing pressure from. It was very fast.”
Allen’s debut took a semi-backseat to the halftime drama when cornerback Vontae Davis abruptly retired.
Allen would earn the first of his 67 regular-season starting wins the following week in Minnesota.
Start No. 25
At Pittsburgh (Dec. 15, 2019): The 2019 Bills started 5-1 and were 9-4 entering their Sunday night game against the Steelers. The kickoff wind chill was 25 degrees. The Bills trailed 10-7 entering the fourth quarter, but took the lead for good with 7:55 remaining on Allen’s 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Kroft.Allen was 13 of 25 passing for 139 yards and rushed 21 times for 87 yards. The win clinched a playoff spot.
Nearly five years later, Allen easily remembered the touchdown to Kroft.
“They played a two-high (safety) shell and the cornerback attached to the underneath route, and Tyler did a great job of creating some separation,” Allen said. “Super happy for him.”
The win over Pittsburgh was Allen’s arrival.
“It’s been good a lot here, but that was one of those games, it was cool because it was Josh’s first moment of being the quarterback and us clinching a playoff berth,” Beane said. “I think it said, ‘We have something to build off of. We have a lot of work to do, but we got a guy.’ ”
The Bills’ charter flight landed in Buffalo around 2 a.m., and fans lined the area to welcome them home and celebrate a second playoff berth in three seasons.
“The best part was flying home and landing early in the morning and there being thousands of Bills fans there,” Allen said. “It’s a scene I’ll never forget.”
Said Ferguson: “It was crazy. The next time I remember being shocked by the number of people at the airport was after we clinched the division in 2020 and we flew back from Denver. Thousands of people. We could barely drive out of the parking lot.”
Twenty-five starts into his career, Allen was 15-10.
Start No. 50
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Oct. 31, 2021. Buffalo News file photo
Miami (Oct. 31, 2021): The most non-descript of Allen’s milepost starts – the Bills never trailed in a 26-11 win over the Dolphins to improve to 5-2; they would finish 11-6.
Allen was 29 of 42 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed eight times for 55 yards.
The 2021 Bills won the AFC East for the second consecutive year and Ferguson points to the 2020 training camp as the start of something particularly special for Allen.
“The Covid year was a big turning point,” said Ferguson, the longest-tenured Bills player (2016). “When we came back for training camp, after the first couple of games, it was apparent he had taken a step forward. It seemed like we were operating at a different level than we had in previous years, and he had started to become more vocal in the first part of the 2020 season and guys gravitated toward him more.”
Back-up quarterback Mitchell Trubisky joined the Bills in 2021 and returned this year, so he is uniquely qualified to describe Allen’s maturation over the last four years and 49 starts.
“He continues to grow in every aspect of the game and continues to push himself,” Trubisky said.
Fifty starts into his career, Allen was 33-17.
Start No. 75
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and tackle Spencer Brown (79) exhale before a successful two-point attempt in the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago,
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Charles Rex Arbogast
At Chicago (Dec. 24, 2022): The game-time wind chill factor was minus-12 degrees, and the Bills clinched another AFC East title by beating the Bears 35-13.
“That was a freezing game,” Allen said.
Allen was 15 of 26 passing for 172 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bills battled the elements by rushing for 254 yards.
Up 15 points with 1:02 remaining, the Bills went for it on fourth down and tight end Dawson Knox caught a 13-yard touchdown pass.
“I remember not having my gloves on because I thought I was done for the day and then getting called in for that play,” Knox said. “Josh threw a perfect pass. I was supposed to get down before I scored to run the clock down, but as I was going down, I was already sliding into the end zone.”
Said Allen: “Love him to death. He’s like a brother to me and he’s still making plays for us.”
All 23 of Knox’s touchdown catches have been thrown by Allen.
“Josh’s just been incredibly consistent, works as hard as anybody in the building, puts in the time and will be in the trainer’s room fighting through stuff if he has an injury,” Knox said. “He’s the definition of a warrior, which is why he’s such a good leader and the guys rally around him.”
A massive snow event in Western New York meant the Bills had to stay an extra night in the Chicago area.
“The cool part about that game is we had to stay and we got to hang out with everybody in the building, which we don’t get to do that often,” Allen said.
Seventy-five starts into his career, Allen was 51-24.
Start No. 100
Tennessee (Sunday): According to Pro Football Reference, Allen will become the 110th quarterback in NFL history to start at least 100 games (11th active quarterback). Among quarterbacks all-time, Allen will begin his 100th start tied for ninth in touchdown passes, 22nd in yards (23,789) and first in rushing touchdowns (56). Three touchdowns – passing or rushing – against the Titans would give Allen 234 in his first 100 starts, tied with Patrick Mahomes for second all-time (Aaron Rodgers 241).“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Trubisky said of reaching 100 starts. “There is so much that goes on week to week, taking care of your body and getting ready for every Sunday. Josh has a great routine and, obviously, physically, he has all the tools. It’s awesome to be around a guy of that caliber.”
Joe Ferguson went 48-52 with 98 touchdowns and 102 interceptions, and Kelly 63-37 with 161 touchdowns and 106 interceptions. Through 99 starts (not including his relief outing at Baltimore), Allen has 177 touchdowns and 78 interceptions.
Ferguson and Kelly would start 163 and 160 games, respectively, for the Bills. If he stays healthy, Allen will reach 164 starts early in the 2028 season.
Like every quarterback, Allen has had to play through injuries, minor and significant. He played the final half of 2022 with a right (throwing) elbow injury.
“(His toughness) is top-notch,” Ferguson said. “He’s been dinged up and has fought and worked to play through just about everything. That’s a testament to him because you see the way he plays – he puts his body on the line for us, for the coaching staff, for the fans. It’s something I can definitely appreciate.”
McDermott definitely appreciates Allen’s journey.
“You think back to his first start in 2018 and how far he’s come over the years,” McDermott said. “It’s been a real joy to watch him make a mark on the community, the organization and NFL fans across the world.”
Allen’s current streak of 96 consecutive starts is the longest in the NFL. Through injury, he has answered the call to reach the starting gate and takes it as a badge of honor.
“I think so,” he said. “Small-town kid, had big dreams of playing in the NFL. To think about where I was and where I’ve been to now where I am, it’s pretty crazy.”
And pretty successful.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen celebrates running back James Cook’s touchdown during a Week 3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Allen by the numbers
Bills quarterback Josh Allen will make his 100th career start on Sunday. A look at his first 99 starts:First start: A 31-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 16, 2018. Allen was 18 of 33 passing for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
First win: A 27-6 road win over Minnesota on Sept. 23, 2018. Allen was 15 of 22 passing for 196 yards and one touchdown.
First 300-yard passing game: In a 27-17 home win over the New York Jets on Sept. 13, 2020, Allen passed for 312 yards. He has 25 games of at least 300 yards passing.
First 100-yard rushing game: In a 21-17 road loss to Miami on Dec. 2, 2018, Allen rushed for 135 yards. He has three 100-yard rushing games.
Highest passer rating: In a 48-20 home win over Miami on Oct. 1, 2023, Allen posted a 158.3 passer rating. He has 44 games with at least a 100 rating.
Most touchdown passes: Allen’s regular-season high is four touchdowns in 11 games.
Most interceptions: Allen has a career-high three interceptions in three games.
Among Bills quarterbacks
Bills quarterback Josh Allen will make his 100th career start Sunday with the organization. How his numbers through 99 starts compare with the 100-start quarterbacks in team history:| Player | Years | Record | Yards | TD passes | INT | Rating | Rushing TDs |
| Joe Ferguson | 1973-80 | 48-52 | 15,554 | 98 | 102 | 69.3 | 8 |
| Jim Kelly | 1986-92 | 63-37 | 22,849 | 161 | 106 | 87.5 | 4 |
| Josh Allen | 2018-24 | 67-32 | 23,789 | 177 | 78 | 93.1 | 56 |
Among all-time quarterbacks
Bills quarterback Josh Allen will make his 100th career start on Sunday. Where he ranks all-time among quarterbacks in their first 100 starts:Touchdowns
| Player, team | Years | TDs |
| 1, Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City | 2017-24 | 225 |
| 2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay | 2008-14 | 222 |
| 3. Dan Marino, Miami | 1983-89 | 214 |
| 4. Brett Favre, Green Bay | 1992-98 | 194 |
| 5. Tony Romo, Dallas | 2006-13 | 189 |
| 9t. Josh Allen, Bills | 2018-24 | 177 |
Passing yards
| Player, team | Years | Yards |
| 1, Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City | 2017-24 | 29,328 |
| 2, Matthew Stafford, Detroit | 2009-16 | 27,890 |
| 3, Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay | 2008-14 | 27,520 |
| 4. Tony Romo, Dallas | 2006-13 | 27,485 |
| 5. Kurt Warner, 3 teams | 1999-2008 | 27,441 |
| 22. Josh Allen, Bills | 2018-24 | 23,789 |
Rushing touchdowns
| Player, team | Years | TDs |
| 1. Josh Allen, Bills | 2018-24 | 56 |
| 2, Cam Newton, Carolina | 2011-17 | 51 |
| 3, Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia | 2020-24 | 43 |
| 4, Daunte Culpepper, 3 teams | 2000-09 | 34 |
| 5t. Steve McNair, Tennessee | 1995-2003 | 31 |
| 5t. Michael Vick, Atl.-Phi. | 2001-12 | 31 |