Hunt for QB-HC harmony: Why Josh Allen is sitting in these meetings
In Buffalo, there was always more to this relationship than snow angels. A look at what the Los Angeles Rams have built is also instructive.
Stories/Pods this week, icymi:
Miss our three-part series in December 2023? All stories are unlocked to read, icymi:
Josh Allen has a literal seat at the table. The Buffalo Bills aren’t hiding the fact that they’re giving their starting quarterback a very strong voice through this search for a new head coach. GM Brandon Beane assured at his press conference this week that Allen would play a significant role right with all power brokers — himself, Terry Pegula, daughter Laura Pegula, COO Pete Guelli and assistant GMs Brian Gaine and Terrance Gray.
A player? Interviewing his future coach?
Examine the dynamic between coach and quarterback during Allen’s first eight seasons in the NFL and all of this makes perfect sense.
The quarterback who never snipes at receivers for blunders on the football field would never disparage Sean McDermott in front of a mic. He’s forever the farm kid from Firebaugh, Calif., with zero college offers. Yet as covered in 2023, these two were not fully aligned. Things got a little better toward the end. When his quarterback was in the midst of an MVP season, sources say, McDermott started to realize who made this whole thing go. Those listening to the coach’s pressers likely picked up on this shift in tone. Instead of nitpicking the one mistake his offense made in a shootout loss—instead of treating Allen like “a little kid,” as one team source put — McDermott gassed him up more in ‘24 and ‘25.
Right down to asking No. 17 to do snow angels with him on live TV.
Unfortunately, it was too little, too late.