Buffalo Bills 2021 Position Grades and Future Outlook – Quarterbacks
2021 Grade: A-
2022 Outlook: A
Stats (through week 16)
- Josh Allen: 5,361 yards, 356-480 (74% comp.), 45 TD, 33 INT, 113.0 Rating, 5 rushing TDs
- Sam Ehlinger: 163 yards, 12-12 (100% comp.), 1 TD, 0 INT, 146.5 Rating
Josh Allen has had a season for the ages. He was once regarded as a potential bust when he struggled with his accuracy and consistency during his first 3 seasons of his career. Just when the “expert” analysts around the league were ready to write him off, the Bills redirected the course of their franchise with a mid-season coaching change that thrust Allen into the MVP race. The new offense that Allen has been entrusted with seems to have been built for all of Allen’s strengths. It is not only the schemes that seem to be working, but Allen’s accuracy and footwork has drastically improved. This improvement can be attributed to more focused training and drill work during the course of the week at practice as well as more confidence in the reads of each concept so that Allen can make decisions with conviction. Allen has still struggled with some decision making, seeming to be prone to a couple bad reads per game where he may be locking onto his pre snap reads even when the man isn’t open during the play which has led to too many errors and interceptions. However, if Allen can continue to clean up his reads and decisions to cut down on the turnovers while continuing to make progress with his accuracy, then Allen could become one of the best if not the best Quarterback in the league.
The Bills also made a great acquisition shortly after their new coaching staff was hired by signing Sam Ehlinger off the Eagles practice squad. Ehlinger is only a rookie, but its very important to find a good backup in this league, especially with Allen’s aggressive playstyle near the goalline. Ehlinger has had limited action, but he has been literally flawless when he has gotten the chance. In week 16, he saw his first live action while starting a majority of the 2nd half of the game and finished a perfect 12-12 for almost 200 yards and a touchdown. He was able to connect on throws at all levels of the field and made great reads to keep the chains moving on 3rd downs. This quarterback room might be the best in the league right now, and definitely has the potential to stay that way.
