BUFFALO — The dawn of the 2023 NFL season brings a unique dynamic to upstate New York, where the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback room is experiencing a fresh transformation.
At the helm, the familiar figure of Josh Allen remains a constant force. Entering his sixth consecutive season as the offensive leader, the seventh overall pick of the 2018 draft aims to build upon his impressive 2022 performance, which earned him a third-place finish in MVP voting.
However, a new face graces the scene, poised to offer support from the sidelines. Kyle Allen, another 2018 draft selection, adds depth to the position. A seasoned NFL traveler, Kyle has left his mark on teams like Carolina, Washington, and most recently, Houston. His arrival in Buffalo has propelled him into the backup role, a position previously occupied by Case Keenum, who rejoined the Texans earlier this year, marking a homecoming of sorts.
Interestingly, the shared surname has led to speculation about a potential familial connection between Josh and Kyle Allen. Are the two quarterbacks, both bearing the last name Allen, actually related?
According to Sporting News, the answer is a resounding no. Despite the coincidental alignment of their last names, there is no blood relation between Josh and Kyle Allen. Their paths have diverged significantly. Josh Allen’s roots trace back to Firebaugh, California, while Kyle Allen’s origin lies in Scottsdale, Arizona. Although born a mere two months apart, their lives have followed separate trajectories.
Even the Bills’ playful assertions of the two being “brothers” on social media are meant purely for entertainment purposes, as clarified by sources.
Yet, amidst the absence of a familial bond, a unique camaraderie thrives between the two Allens. Friendship has woven a special connection between Kyle and Josh Allen over the years.
Their shared quarterback coach, Jordan Palmer, serves as the linchpin in this relationship. The quarterback duo has been under Palmer’s guidance since before the 2018 NFL Draft. Their affiliation reached a remarkable point during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the two athletes, alongside Palmer, underwent quarantine near the residence of fellow quarterback Sam Darnold in Southern California.
In the words of SI’s Albert Breer, “The quarterbacks wake up every day and, because all the parks and fields around them are shut down, go throw on the beach by Darnold’s house. After that, they’ll go back to the house, eat lunch, play cards, watch TV, play some more cards and eventually watch movies at night. The biggest problems, really, are losing the chance to work with the rehab guy they’d been using, and fighting boredom.”
Now, as fate would have it, these friends find themselves reunited within the same quarterback room. A new chapter unfolds as Josh and Kyle Allen embark on a journey of collaboration, mutual support, and shared aspirations, proving that the bond of camaraderie can be as powerful as any family tie.