Well, I am so glad that the Buffalo Bills’ Organization was able to answer my question so quickly, as asked in my former article, “Buffalo Bills: Who Should be Second in Command behind Josh Allen?”
Had I known that Josh Allen had a friend that was a quarterback in the league with the same last name, maybe I would have chosen him for second in command. Anyways, let’s take a look at the Bills’ new backup quarterback and Josh’s golf and vacationing buddy.
Background
Kyle Allen, who came into the league as an undrafted rookie free agent, started his career in (2018) the same year as Josh. The 27-year-old, like many other Bills players, has a connection under the Sean McDermott era with the Carolina Panthers.
Buffalo Bills OC Ken Dorsey – Robin Alam/SportsWire
He ended up being the starting quarterback in 2019 when Cam Newton went down with a season-ending knee injury. He also has ties with current Bills’ OC Ken Dorsey, and his personality fits well with the Bills’ organization.
After the Panthers, he then joined the Washington Commanders serving as the backup behind now-Atlanta Falcons backup QB Taylor Heinicke. Last year, he saw sparing starts with the Texans sharing time with young QB Davis Mills under now-fired head coach Lovie Smith.
Backups
Prior to the latest Buffalo Bills’ signing, Josh was also friends with his former backup QBs. They included; A.J. McCarron, Nate Peterman, Derek Anderson, Jake Fromm, and Mitch Trubisky.
Now the table turns as former Buffalo Bills’ backup Case Keenum signed with the Houston Texans, and Kyle Allen is now Josh Allen’s backup with the Bills.
In January, practice squad quarterback Matt Barkley was signed to a reserve contract and is still on the roster and knows the offense being on the team for quite a while.
GM’s thoughts
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane – Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
When it was time for General Manager Brandon Beane to pick his backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, he noted previously that he valued Josh Allen’s judgment. He thought the two of them looked at situations together with the same point of view. Josh would let him know if he failed to take advantage of any valuable opportunities.
Since the backup quarterback decision was made, it looks as if they both came together and made a decision that would fit both their and the team’s needs.
Roommates
At the 2018 NFL Draft Combine, Josh met Kyle and the two trained together in Indianapolis, Indiana, and became roommates. From there, the two became close friends. Even though they went their separate ways on their own career paths, little did they know fate would bring them together as teammates today.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen – Mark Konezny/IMAGO
From traveling together with their significant others to golfing together to playing as opponents, these two friends have gained so many memories playing and getting to know each other as athletes and human beings. Then in 2020, when COVID-19 and lockdowns changed the world, it brought them even closer together as they even quarantined together.
They are now teammates in 2023 and there is one goal they would like to achieve together and that is bringing a Super Bowl home to Orchard Park and the Buffalo Bills.
Kyle’s Interview
Now that Kyle is going to be the Buffalo Bills’ backup QB, Buffalo Bills’ Reporter and Multimedia Journalist Maddy Glab had a chance to sit down and speak one-on-one with the Bills’ newest player and Josh Allen’s friend. Let’s take a listen:
Kyle has 19 career starts, with 12 coming in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers. He has seven wins and 12 losses with a 62.6 completion % with 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Look for him to bring a winning presence with him to the Buffalo Bills’ squad.
