Bills GM Brandon Beane needs to be careful what he's asking for because he may not like the result
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane should probably reconsider what he's asking for this offseason. Because he might not like the result if he gets his wish. And it could be detrimental to Buffalo's playoff hopes. Beane said this week that he wants Bills quarterback Josh Allen to take fewer hits in 2023. I'm sure […]
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane should probably reconsider what he's asking for this offseason.
Because he might not like the result if he gets his wish.
And it could be detrimental to Buffalo's playoff hopes.
Beane said this week that he wants Bills quarterback Josh Allen to take fewer hits in 2023.
I'm sure every general manager feels the same way about their starting quarterback.
Beane, however, seems to be pushing the issue with Allen.
"If it's the first quarter of Week two…we don't need you trying to run over a linebacker or a safety," said Beane during an appearance on Sirius XM this week.
I understand what Beane is saying, but a large part of what makes Allen an elite player is his competitiveness and his ability to turn nothing into something. Sometimes that's because he takes on a linebacker instead of sliding. Obviously, that can lead to some injuries, but it's also part of the reason why the Bills are winning a lot of games these days.
And contrary to what Beane thinks, those games in Week two mean just as much as games in Week 16 or Week 17. Last time I checked, all wins in the NFL count the same. And plenty of playoff races over the years would've had a different outcome if games early in the season had played out differently.
The last thing the Bills should want is for Allen to change the way he plays. If he's out there thinking more about not taking a hit than making a play, then he's not the same player. I understand wanting to keep Allen healthy but taking away one of his best attributes — his competitiveness — doesn't seem like a good way to accomplish that desire.
Instead of asking Allen to change the way he plays, perhaps Beane should give Allen more weapons which would reduce the need for him to take off running.
I think we all know that Allen probably isn't going to change the way he plays — when he's in the moment, his instincts take over.
And Buffalo should hope that's the case, despite Beane's public plea for him to change. After all, the Josh Allen that Bills fans have seen over the last several years — you know, the one that hasn't missed a game in four seasons — has been among the best players in the league. And that's what Buffalo needs him to be in 2023 if they're going to end their championship drought.
