Josh Allen
Born 1996 · Age 29
American professional football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills; played at Reedley College and Wyoming; 7th overall pick in 2018; led Buffalo to multiple division titles, playoff runs, and was NFL MVP (2024).
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Life & Career Timeline
Family farm established (grandfather)
Paternal grandfather established the family cotton farm where Josh Allen later grew up in Firebaugh, CA. Grandfather was longtime member of local school board and namesake of Firebaugh HS gym.
Born in Firebaugh, California
Joshua Patrick Allen born to LaVonne and Joel Allen in Firebaugh, CA.
San Diego State walk-on offer declined
San Diego State offered Allen a walk-on spot but he declined because coach Rocky Long could not guarantee playing time.
Enrolled at Reedley College (JUCO)
Joined Reedley College football program (junior college); one of the staff coaches was connected to his family.
Became Reedley starter after early appearances
Did not play first three games, came off bench and ran for four TDs in next game, then became starter and threw 25 TDs with 4 INTs the rest of season.
Reedley season totals (JUCO)
Led Reedley to top-10 California JUCO offensive rankings; personally tied for No.7 in CA JUCO with 26 TD passes and averaged 66.0 rushing yards per game.
National FFA recognition (top four in nation)
Ranked in the top four in the nation in diversified crop production (cantaloupe, cotton, wheat) via FFA chapter competitions.
Graduated Firebaugh High School
Graduated from small-town Firebaugh High School; multi-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball) and worked on family farm and mother's restaurant.
Sends mass recruiting email to FBS coaches
After breakout JUCO season Allen emailed every FBS head coach and major position coaches seeking scholarship opportunities; only two schools showed interest.
Committed to the University of Wyoming
Chose Wyoming over Eastern Michigan (which withdrew its offer) and enrolled prior to the 2015 season; Craig Bohl and staff actively recruited him.
Wyoming first career start; broken collarbone and medical redshirt
Made first career start for Wyoming in 2015 but suffered a broken collarbone after only a few passes, ending his season; qualified for medical redshirt.
Named Wyoming starter for 2016 season
Returned from injury and started for Wyoming; threw for over 3,200 yards and 28 passing touchdowns.
Considered declaring for 2017 NFL Draft
Contemplated entering the 2017 draft after strong 2016 season but ultimately was persuaded to remain at Wyoming for 2017.
2017 Wyoming season and final college year
Threw for 1,812 yards, 16 TDs and 6 INTs in 2017; continued to develop as an NFL prospect.
Led Wyoming to Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win; announced entering 2018 draft
Helped Wyoming to a 37–14 bowl win over Central Michigan and announced intention to enter the 2018 NFL Draft; reported by sources as bowl MVP.
Finished rookie season leading team in passing and rushing
Completed rookie season with 2,074 passing yards, 10 passing TDs and led Bills in rushing with 631 yards; first QB in Bills history to lead team in both categories.
NFL Combine measurements
Participated in 2018 NFL Combine; recorded 40-yard dash 4.75s, vertical 33.5 in, broad jump 9'11", Wonderlic 37, height ~6'4-5", weight 237 lb.
Selected 7th overall in 2018 NFL Draft by Buffalo Bills
Bills traded up from 12th to 7th overall with Tampa Bay to select Josh Allen in the first round.
Old high-school social media posts controversy
Old tweets containing racial and homophobic slurs surfaced on the day of the draft; Allen apologized calling himself 'young and dumb'.
Signed rookie contract with Bills (4-year, fully guaranteed)
Signed a four-year, fully guaranteed contract with Buffalo worth $21 million.
First NFL start (Week 2) vs Chargers
Named starter for Week 2; threw his first NFL passing touchdown and continued development as the Bills' QB2→QB1 transition.
First NFL regular-season appearance
Appeared for the first time in an NFL regular season game vs Baltimore after Nathan Peterman was benched; had 74 passing yards and 26 rushing yards.
Hurdle play vs Vikings goes viral
Against Minnesota, Allen hurdled linebacker Anthony Barr on a scramble; finished with 196 pass yards, 2 rush TDs in a 27–6 win.
Five-touchdown performance and AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Finished a Week 17 rout of Miami with 3 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs (five total) and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Finished 2019 regular season
Completed 2019 with 3,089 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 9 INTs, and 510 rushing yards with 9 rushing TDs; led league with 4 fourth-quarter comebacks and 5 game-winning drives.
Named Bills' opening-day starter and team captain
Entered 2019 as Buffalo's Week 1 starter and was named a team captain; led a comeback win vs Jets in opener.
AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 11, 2019)
Recognized for a three-TD passing performance and a rushing touchdown in a Bills win over the Dolphins.
Clinched 2019 playoff berth
Bills clinched a playoff spot late in the 2019 season after a Week 15 win over Pittsburgh; Allen contributed with passing and rushing TDs.
Finished 2020 season (breakout year)
Posted 4,544 passing yards, 37 passing TDs, 10 INTs and 421 rushing yards with 8 rushing TDs; improved completion % to 69.2 and earned multiple weekly awards.
False-positive COVID-19 test
Reported among group of 77 NFL players that initially tested positive; lab later revealed results were false positives due to mishandling.
First three consecutive 300+ yard games to start season
Started 2020 with three consecutive 300+ passing yard games (vs Jets, Dolphins, Rams), marking personal and franchise milestones and leading to a 4–0 start.
Named AFC Offensive Player of the Month (September 2020)
Earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September 2020 after outstanding start to the season.
415-yard performance vs Seahawks and played after grandmother's death
Threw for 415 yards, 3 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD in a 44–34 upset of Seattle; coach revealed Allen had played one day after his grandmother's death.
Clinched AFC East title (first since 1995)
Helped Buffalo clinch the AFC East in 2020—the team's first division title since 1995—during a dominant win over Denver.
Finished 2021 regular season
Recorded 4,407 passing yards, 36 TDs and 15 INTs with 763 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs; first Bills QB with multiple 4,000-yard passing seasons.
2020 season MVP voting runner-up
Finished second in 2020 MVP voting (behind Aaron Rodgers), receiving four first-place votes.
Surpassed 10,000 career passing yards
Crossed 10,000 career passing yards milestone early in the 2021 season (around Week 2).
Wild Card win vs Colts (first playoff win since 1995)
Led Bills to a 27–24 Wild Card win with 324 passing yards, 54 rushing yards, and three total TDs—Buffalo's first playoff victory since 1995.
Perfect-offense Wild Card game vs Patriots
In the Wild Card Game, Allen completed 21 of 25 for 308 yards and 5 TDs; Bills scored a touchdown on every offensive possession (except kneel-down)—first 'perfect offensive game' in NFL history.
AFC Championship appearance (loss to Chiefs)
Started in Bills' AFC Championship Game appearance; finished with 287 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 88 rushing yards in a 38–24 loss.
Bills exercised fifth-year option on rookie contract
Buffalo picked up Allen's fifth-year option, extending his contract status through 2022 under the original rookie deal conditions.
Signed six-year extension with Bills
Agreed to a six-year contract extension worth up to $258 million, including $150 million guaranteed, keeping him in Buffalo through 2028.
Finished 2022 season
Completed 2022 with 4,283 passing yards, 35 TDs, 14 INTs and 762 rushing yards with 7 rushing TDs; led Bills to third straight AFC East title.
2022 season opener vs Rams (Kickoff Game)
Opened 2022 season in prime-time with multi-touchdown performance vs Los Angeles in the NFL Kickoff Game.
Finished 2023 season
Compiled 4,306 passing yards, 29 passing TDs, 18 INTs, and 524 rushing yards with 15 rushing TDs; led Bills to another deep playoff run.
Tied NFL single-season QB rushing TD record (15) and reached career-high rushing TDs
Scored 15 rushing touchdowns in 2023 (tied for NFL single-season record by a QB); 8 of those came in a five-game span during late-season surge.
Early 2023 struggles and Week 1 turnover-heavy game
Started 2023 with a poor game vs Jets (four turnovers) but rebounded in subsequent weeks; won AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 2.
First career perfect passer rating (158.3)
Achieved perfect passer rating for the first time in career in a 48–20 win over Miami: 21/25, 320 yards, 4 TDs and a rushing TD.
Offensive coordinator change (Ken Dorsey fired, Joe Brady hired)
Following offensive struggles and a loss to Denver, Buffalo fired OC Ken Dorsey and promoted Joe Brady to OC; Allen had publicly vouched for Dorsey earlier.
Finished 2024 regular season (stat line)
Posted 3,731 passing yards, 28 passing TDs and 6 INTs, with 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs; completed regular season with 101.4 passer rating.
Named NFL Most Valuable Player (AP MVP for 2024 season)
Won the NFL MVP award for the 2024 season, the highest individual honor in the league.
Awards and honors in 2024 season
Named AP Second-team All-Pro (2024), Pro Bowl selection (2024), and received the Art Rooney Award (2024).
Secured fourth consecutive AFC East division title
Bills clinched the AFC East again after a Week 18 win over Miami, giving Buffalo its fourth straight division title.
Announced engagement to Hailee Steinfeld
Publicly announced engagement to actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld (reported in 2024).
Married Hailee Steinfeld
Reported marriage to Hailee Steinfeld following their 2024 engagement (reported by Britannica: married the following year).
Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame induction announced
Announced as a 2025 inductee into the University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame for his collegiate play.
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