Skip to main content
Advertising

Bills QB Josh Allen 'blessed beyond belief' to sign new extension, wants to stay in Buffalo his entire career

Buffalo Bills vs Arizona Cardinals, Regular Season, September 08, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Arizona Cardinals, Regular Season, September 08, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.

Josh Allen's first ever trip to Buffalo during his 2018 pre-draft visit hit all the high notes.

A scenic view of Orchard Park and Highmark Stadium. A trip to Bar-Bill for wings. And of course, snow.

"I got snowed in so I couldn't leave," Allen recalled from his tour.

With Allen's latest contract, he won't be leaving anytime soon. The 2024 NFL MVP signed an extension with the Bills over the weekend, a new deal that keeps him in Buffalo through the 2030 season.

A new contract wasn't a necessity at this point in Allen's career as he still had four years remaining on his current deal. But following an MVP season, the Bills wanted to reward Allen and vice versa with the QB aiming to extend his deal while freeing up immediate cap space for the team.

"I understood the impact of getting an extension done, creating some cap space," Allen said. "I've had a big contract before and it doesn't really change how I live in my life. But I know that, again, this opens up some space for cap and signing some free agents. I think we've been having a pretty good free agent run so far."

The QB spoke for nearly 30 minutes Wednesday on Zoom and offered plenty of reflection on his NFL journey and why Buffalo has meant so much to him. In re-telling his pre-draft visit, Allen said of all the teams he visited during that process, his trip to the City of Good Neighbors stood out the most.

"(Buffalo) just felt like home to me. It's kind of the only thing that I've ever known of, small-town feel where the people are great and the food's just as great," Allen said. "So those were two big factors for me… I just think it's home for me," Allen said.

Growing up on a farm in Firebaugh, CA, Allen had big dreams of making it to the National Football League and being a franchise quarterback. His relentless drive and unwavering belief that fueled him as a kid still burns today. A new contract only adds to that desire.

"An 8-year-old me would obviously be just as pumped as a 28-year-old me. I think it's the only thing I've ever wanted to do in my life is play football. Now I get to continue to do it. That's the main thing. Going out there and playing the best football that I can. In no way does this mean I need to stop working hard or stop getting better. It almost promotes more of that for me," Allen said.

"I've got to continue to get better and find ways to help this team get over that hump and win a Super Bowl."

Negotiations on Allen's extension started this early offseason. While the reported totals put Allen toward the top of QB salaries, he wanted to make sure certain details of the deal were team-friendly.

"I wasn't looking to absolutely kill them at every chance I could and I told my agent that," he said. "I was like, if it has any impact on the cap, let's figure out a way to not do that. Both sides were willing to move and change different things and it was a pretty calm-mannered negotiation is what I can say from both sides."

Allen is the first player in NFL history with 5 straight 40+ total TD seasons and has the most wins (76) and total TDs (262) by any player in their first seven seasons. In 2024, he reached new heights with his first career MVP award.

"I think the joy I have of playing football is the number 1 thing that fuels this -- of going out there and just putting everything that's not on the field on the sideline, and then after that I get to enjoy a pretty great life with a great family, a great future wife. I'm just blessed beyond belief," Allen said.

Entering Year 8 in 2025, Allen is in the prime of his career. He's got plenty more to prove and his goal is to stay a Bill forever.

"I try not to think about the end. I feel like it's still a long way away. But absolutely. I don't want to play anywhere else," Allen said. "This is home to me and it'll never not be home. Yeah, I'd love to continue to play here as long as I can. And when it's time to put the cleats up. Hopefully it'll be in Buffalo."

Take a look at the best photos of Josh Allen from 2024 Training Camp all the way through the playoffs! At NFL Honors, Allen was awarded with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award. Allen is the first Bills QB ever to win MVP.

Related Content

Advertising