The widely-shared statement from Bills GM regarding the trade for Josh Allen during the 2018 NFL Draft has gained attention. Despite initial skepticism, the Bills traded significant draft capital to move up and select Allen, who was viewed as a promising yet raw prospect at the time.
Brandon Beane, the Bills’ general manager, addressed the criticism his team faced for investing heavily in Allen during a press conference at the NFL combine. He noted that while there were concerns about the trade, he believed that if Allen didn’t succeed, it wouldn’t matter as he wouldn’t be in his position, and if Allen did succeed, the criticism would fade away. This viewpoint has been proven wrong as Allen has exceeded expectations, becoming one of the franchise’s most celebrated moves.
Contrary to Beane’s prediction of indifference, the trade for Allen is now hailed as a masterstroke in Bills history. Allen’s performance has been stellar, consistently ranking among the top contenders for the MVP award and leading the Bills to five consecutive playoff appearances, along with four division titles, a feat achieved only twice previously in the franchise’s history.
Although the Bills have yet to progress past the AFC postseason due to formidable competition like Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, there’s no remorse in Buffalo over the decision to part with two second-round picks for Allen.
