BUFFALO, NY — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s season has been a story of resilience and perseverance. Despite Allen posting impressive numbers through the first five games—throwing for over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns—the Bills found themselves struggling at 1-5. Just as Allen was hitting his stride, disaster struck in Week 6 when he suffered a dislocated hip, sidelining him for four weeks. His much-anticipated return in Week 11 brought hope back to Buffalo, but it hasn’t been an easy journey for the star quarterback.
The Tough Sideline Experience
In an interview, Allen opened up about what it was like to be sidelined, watching his team go 1-4 in his absence. “It was honestly one of the hardest things I’ve gone through as a player,” Allen admitted. “I’m used to being out there, making plays, trying to get wins, and suddenly I’m sitting on the sidelines watching. It was tough knowing I couldn’t physically contribute.”
With Mitchell Trubisky stepping in as the backup QB, Allen watched from the sidelines, closely following the team’s progress while Trubisky took over the offense. “Mitch did what he could,” Allen commented. “He’s a good teammate, and I know he gave his all.”
Although Trubisky struggled at times, finishing his stretch with a 1-4 record and throwing for 1,261 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions, Allen remained supportive. “It’s not easy to jump into that role and immediately turn things around,” Allen said. “But we stayed in constant communication, and I tried to help where I could, whether that was talking strategy on the sidelines or offering advice between series.”
Learning from the Sidelines
Allen didn’t let the time away go to waste. “Being on the sidelines, you see things differently. I had the chance to really step back and study the game more. I watched how defenses adjusted, how our offense was running plays. I think I’ve come out of this injury a better student of the game.”
When asked if there was anything he learned from watching Trubisky, Allen smiled and said, “Every quarterback brings something different to the table, and Mitch has a calmness under pressure that I admired. I took notes on how he handled certain situations, and it’s something I can apply moving forward.”
The Hardest Part of Being Out
“The toughest part wasn’t even the physical aspect,” Allen revealed. “It was the mental game. Watching the team fight week after week and knowing you can’t be out there to help—that weighs on you. But I kept reminding myself that I needed to get fully healthy for the long term.”
During his recovery, Allen focused on staying connected to the team and worked with the coaching staff to ensure he was mentally prepared for his return. “I did everything I could to get better, mentally and physically. It was a lot of film work, a lot of strategy. When I came back, I wanted to be better than before.”
What’s Next for Allen and the Bills?
Now that Allen is back, he’s wasted no time making an impact. In his first game back, a 31-34 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen threw for 313 yards, completing 76.5% of his passes. Despite the Bills being 3-8 and with slim playoff hopes, Allen is determined to finish the season strong and carry momentum into the next year. “We still have games to win,” Allen said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to finish the season the right way.”