Josh Allen Points Fingers for Bills’ Failures After Sean McDermott Sidelined Starters

When the Buffalo Bills came to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, the Bills Mafia didn’t get what they were hoping for. No, Josh Allen under center. Instead, it was the Bills’ rookie Mike White who got the nod as QB1. For a preseason game, this move was not too shocking, as Allen has yet to take a preseason snap in 2025, but this one move did set the tone for a long night in the Windy City.

Even last week, it was Mitchell Trubisky who handled the QB1 duties. Allen admitted earlier in the week that he does not need preseason reps. “If I were to get them [preseason game reps], I’d appreciate them, but I don’t think it’s a situation where we need to get out there.” And this time, it wasn’t just him riding the bench. None of the offensive starters, aside from Joshua Palmer, touched the ball in the first series. James Cook was scratched entirely, and Connor McGovern didn’t even suit up. Well, Sean McDermott wasn’t taking chances with his first-choice players.

And while the gamble backfired early for the Bills, the reigning MVP spent some time talking to Fox sideline reporter Pam Oliver, and he didn’t shy away from accepting the mistakes that led to the Bills’ failures last season. “I think last year we did a good job… but obviously there were still times where, you know, I wasn’t where I should be, and it starts with my eyes, starts with my feet, and just trying to make sure those things are marrying up,” Allen said. During his conversation with Oliver, the Bills’ QB also revealed his plans to improve his game.

“Understanding what defenses are trying to do when they play against us. We get different tendencies from people, you know, I’d see different things, and going out there again, just trying to be as mechanically sound as I can be and try to put the ball where it needs to be,” Allen said. And when asked about how the offseason went for the Bills this year, Allen is well aligned with the front office and head coach McDermott.

“Listen, I trust our front office, I trust our coaching staff to develop the talent that we have here. All I have to do is focus ongoing out there and then getting it to the right people, and then whoever’s open. That’s my job, and make sure that our offense is trying to, you know, rolling on all cylinders, and that’s all that’s all I’m trying to do,” he explained. His words may have sounded diplomatic, but they carried a subtle edge—he’s counting on management to deliver.

And to be fair, Buffalo did address defensive holes. They invested heavily in their secondary and line, drafting Maxwell Hairston for his speed, T.J. Sanders and Landon Jackson for pass rush, and Deone Walker to plug the middle. Bills also added Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong for versatility. On paper, it’s a unit built to give Josh Allen and the offense some breathing room.

In the end, though, the scoreboard tells the story. The Bills looked humbled in Chicago, and Allen made it clear he expects sharper execution from his teammates. As the chase for the Lombardi Trophy heats up once again, the MVP is staying patient.