Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane disclosed during their joint media availability on Wednesday that Josh Allen will have a part in the head coach search. The quarterback is already doing that as the franchise intensifies the coaching search.
According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, Allen is sitting in on all the coaching interviews as the Bills continue to evaluate more candidates. However, it’s unclear whether the quarterback is physically present in the interviews or if he’s participating remotely via videoconferencing.
“Buffalo is making sure their best player, team leader, and face of the franchise is part of the hiring process. Josh Allen will have significant say on the next coach of the Buffalo Bills,” Russini wrote on X.
However, Alex Brasky of Sports Illustrated believes the involvement of Josh Allen in the interview process is a bad idea. The analyst cited how the quarterback’s relationship with the team’s former offensive coordinator hasn’t really elevated him to the best he can be.
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“Am I the only one who thinks this is a terrible idea? Allen has been coddled by his past two OCs. Time to get someone to push him. And after all, this is the guy who pushed the team to draft Keon Coleman,” Brasky wrote on X.
Peter Schrager commends the Bills for Josh Allen’s involvement in the coaching search
Peter Schrager applauded the Bills’ decision to involve Josh Allen in the team’s head coaching search on Thursday. In his appearance on ESPN’s “NFL Live,” the analyst believes it’s a bold move at a time when the practice is not common in the league
“Josh Allen is going to play a major role in not only consulting but selecting the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills,” Schrager said. “That can lead to a Pandora’s box, or it could be this is the face of our franchise and the window is only yay big. We want him to have input.
“I don’t know if this happens in the NFL as much as it as we’re going to see here. Usually, it’s the player empowerment era in the NBA. But I give kudos to the Bills here and saying this is the face of the franchise. If we’re hiring the next head coach and it’s his career, let’s give him some input.”
The Bills have already completed interviews with their offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. They are also scheduled to meet former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Washington Commanders running back coach Anthony Lynn and legendary quarterback Philip Rivers this weekend.