Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen got an unusually high amount of playing time in the team’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, but the team could be changing its approach for Game 2.
While Bills head coach Joe Brady did not officially reveal his plan ahead of Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, both he and Browns head coach Todd Monken hinted that Allen and other starters would not see the field.
Josh Allen Already Saw Action Against the Browns
The Bills and Browns already saw some live action against each other, holding joint practices to end this week. Allen was able to play against Cleveland’s first-team defense, which Monken hinted could be the only play he saw this week.
Monken said he and Brady discussed their playing plans, saying they would have the starters face off in joint practices and backups take the field on Saturday.
“We both talked about that,” Monken said, via SI.com. “If we see out of our ones, our group, our older players, what we want to see on Thursday, they would not play in the game. We agreed upon that.”
The SI.com report added that Brady made a similar statement, falling just short of officially confirming that Allen would not play on Saturday.
“(Joint practice) is as regular season as it gets,” Brady said.
Bills Have Other Quarterback Decisions to Make
Allen looked sharp against the Panthers, completing 6-of-8 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. He also took some hits, being sacked twice with one of them being called back due to a facemask penalty.
The hits caused some worry among fans and reporters, though the Bills brought Allen to the bench after just two drives. Allen played hurt through the end of the 2025 season, suffering a broken foot in a December game against the Browns and not undergoing surgery until after the team’s playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.
If Allen doesn’t play against the Browns, the Bills could use the time to determine an unlikely battle behind him. The team brought back veteran Kyle Allen to serve as Josh Allen’s No. 2, but he struggled through some poor performances in training camp and could face a challenge from practice squad quarterback Shane Buechele.
SB Nation’s Chris Trapasso predicted the Bills would cut Kyle Allen, keeping Buechele as their No. 2.
“Kyle Allen underwhelmed at training camp almost every day,” Trapasso wrote. “Buechele came on strong late. I think we have a serious QB2 battle on our hands this preseason.”
Bills insider Matt Parrino of NYUP.com also noted that Buechele has been outplaying Kyle Allen in practices.
“Buechele made Monday feel like a real competition for the backup quarterback job,” Parrino wrote. “Facing pressure right in his face, he delivered a strike to Trent Sherfield for a touchdown — the kind of throw that builds a resume over the course of a camp. Kyle Allen was brought in largely on the strength of his relationship with Josh Allen, but on quarterback play alone, Buechele has outplayed him so far.”
Bills May Have Changed Preseason Plans for Josh Allen Against Browns