Josh Allen always knew he’d be here. But seven years ago, critics were absolutely convinced that he would not. Coming off of a college career with concerns about his accuracy—especially his 56% completion percentage over his last two seasons at Wyoming—his draft prospect (and NFL career) was declared “the ultimate boom-or-bust” earlier than the quarterback would’ve liked. But Allen never gave up. His message was clear: “[The] preconceived notion of me being inaccurate is completely false, and I look forward to changing that over time.” Now, almost a decade out, Brandon Beane is glad he took that chance.

Selected seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, the signal-caller—or like CNN’s Harry Enten likes to call him: “The greatest football player on earth right now”—has slowly transformed into everything he once promised he’d be. Last season, Allen was the No. 1 quarterback in terms of QBR (77.3). His efficiency sky-rocketed, too, with just eight turnovers all year (six interceptions in 483 pass attempts, two fumbles in 102 pass attempts), which amounts to a blistering 1.2 interception percentage behind Justin Herbert (0.6%), Lamar Jackson (0.8%) and Caleb Williams (1.1%). The Bills were also close to making their first Super Bowl appearance with the 28-year-old. But did you know there was once a time when Allen had almost not gone to the Buffalo Bills?

During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on May 6, Beane divulged about the 2018 Draft and the 17-hour meeting the front office had about drafting Allen. Describing the thought process, the GM said, “[Josh Allen] is just an exciting player to watch, and so that attracted me and our staff to him.” But there was a problem: “Because we had made the playoffs the year before, and we were at 21 and 22. We went from 21 to 12. So at that point, we were sitting at 12. How do we get all the way up to the top two or three if we’re going to land Josh?” What made the situation all the more tense was another added threat…

The Bills’ GM recalled and admitted, “I was very concerned. You’re always trying to read signals and ask people that you think may be in the no. I’m pretty sure I mean, John Dorsey was the GM and Dorsey is a great GM, and still he’s done a heck of a job at helping Brad Holmes and that team in Detroit. And I’m pretty sure they were down to Josh or Baker [Mayfield]. And so I was very nervous that he would get selected there.” Well, the “pretty sure” did not land for Josh because during the 2018 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns went with Baker Mayfield. 

Then the 2nd quarterback to get drafted in the class was Sam Darnold. Then, in order to land Josh Allen in Buffalo, Brandon Beane made a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. In that trade, Buffalo received the No. 12 and No. 187 overall picks, whereas Cincinnati received Cordy Glenn and the No. 21 and No. 158 overall picks. But how did they go to the 7th overall place?

After the Bengals traded for the 12th overall pick, Beane cracked the code for the final deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which he didn’t know would work. In that trade, the Buffalo received the No. 7 and No. 255 overall picks, and Tampa Bay received the No. 53 and No. 56 overall picks. Done. Then, when the Indianapolis Colts selected Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame at 5th overall, it was a great opportunity for the Bills, and they did it. 

The announcer said, “With the 7th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Joshua Allen.” After picking up Allen, the Bills organization has entered six times in the postseason. Brandon Beane’s hard work paid off. But there is still a rocky path to go. The Bills must be eyeing the Super Bowl. 

But while Allen’s team was eyeing a Lombardi, one mafia will end his journey with his jersey number with the Bills. The organization has shut the door on the star player’s jersey number.

Josh Allen’s new receiver will not play with the #8 jersey…

Last week, Brandon Beane added Elijah Moore to Josh Allen’s offensive squad. The Bills made the deal with the Browns, who wanted to move on from the 25-year-old wide receiver. But after coming into the city of Buffalo, the star wide receiver will not be wearing his No. 8 jersey. In 2025, he will be wearing No. 18, the same number Amari Cooper used to wear last season. But as Cooper wasn’t able to sign a new deal, Moore will be having the number. 

The Bills signed Moore to a one year, $5 million contract, which will end after the upcoming season. But the Bills expect tremendous progress in their 2025 season with Elijah Moore on the offensive squad. In the 2024 season, Elijah made 61 receptions for 538 yards. Though the numbers might not look impressive, the franchise knows what potential Moore has and what he will bring to the gridiron soon.

Let’s see if Elijah Moore can step up and provide meaningful support to Josh Allen in 2025. The expectation has been set. He can potentially become a key weapon in the Bills’ offensive arsenal and help to stretch the field and open up passing lanes. He relieves pressure on the team’s top targets as they push for a deep playoff run.