Bills’ Josh Allen expects to be ready for OTAs after foot surgery

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen’s slow approach to his front row seat for new Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady’s news conference on Thursday was noticeable.

He was using crutches with his right foot in a walking boot following surgery on Monday morning in Birmingham, Alabama. The procedure addressed a broken bone in his foot — the fifth metatarsal. Allen, 29, shared that the injury was a result of an older issue that worsened during a Week 16 win against the Cleveland Browns. even with this, he did not miss any games due to the injury, although the reigning MVP described it as uncomfortable.

Allen had to pass on his participation in the Pro Bowl Games during Super Bowl week because of the injury.

“It’s a bit painful right now, but the surgery wasn’t overly invasive,” Allen mentioned. “So, the recovery shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be back for OTAs, and it shouldn’t hold me back from anything.”

The aftermath of the Bills’ playoff exit, marked by an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, is still fresh for Allen. He revealed that he learned about coach Sean McDermott’s firing through a phone call from owner Terry Pegula, after which he contacted McDermott directly.

“I hold immense respect and admiration for coach McDermott,” Allen expressed. “Over the past eight seasons, he has been with me through my ups and downs. … We’ve had our share of successes, and I can’t deny my role in it because if I make one more play in that game against Denver, we might not even be having this press conference. We’d likely still be preparing for another game. That’s a tough reality to accept.”

During his first media availability since visibly showing emotion after the Denver loss, Allen admitted to still feeling “sick” about how the season concluded. yet, he indicated that as time passes, he is becoming more aligned with the reality of the situation.

Reflecting on his emotional post-game press conference, Allen mentioned that it had been a long season.

On Thursday, he elaborated, indicating that his struggles with injuries and the emotional stress of late-game comebacks contributed to the Bills’ failure to secure the division and the challenges faced during the postseason.

“I firmly believe we had a Super Bowl-caliber team, and we fell short because we didn’t execute in crucial moments, which ultimately falls on me,” Allen stated. “Moving forward, my focus is on how I can improve—becoming a better quarterback, teammate, and leader for the Buffalo Bills. It’s about asking tough questions, being open to uncomfortable answers, and adapting based on those insights.”

This journey will involve working closely with Brady, whom Allen has collaborated with since 2022, first as a quarterbacks coach and then as interim offensive coordinator before Brady assumed the full-time role in 2024.

Allen played an active role in interviewing head coach candidates, and Brady noted that the quarterback posed challenging questions. Allen felt it was important to represent the entire locker room during the interviews, emphasizing lessons learned about organizational structure.

He expressed optimism about the Bills’ direction and a desire to collaborate with Brady on identifying areas for improvement as they strive for the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.

“even with our successes over the last eight to nine seasons, we’re still striving for that ultimate goal,” Allen remarked. “So what does that look like? Who is involved in shaping that vision? I believe in this organization’s trajectory, starting from the top. Whatever Joe needs from me, I’m ready to provide. I truly believe this is the right step for our team.”

While Allen’s primary professional aspiration remains winning a Super Bowl, he shared that his upcoming months will be filled with personal joy, as his wife, Hailee Steinfeld, is expecting their first child.

“I am incredibly excited about becoming a dad with my wife,” he said. “This is a role I will cherish deeply, and like anything else, we will learn as we go. Being a father is the most important role I will ever take on, and while I love my career as a football player and quarterback, I am truly looking forward to this next chapter.”