ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) 鈥� As he prepares to turn 30, and adapts to a new head coach for the first time in his nine seasons in Buffalo, Josh Allen said his love of football and desire to win haven’t changed as much as they’ve evolved.
Starting a family has a way of altering one’s perspective.
鈥淭hat want to win will never change. The why I want to do it has,鈥� Allen said on Monday, two weeks into the Bills’ offseason workout program.
鈥淪o why I want to do it is to show my family, to show my daughter how hard you need to work in order to accomplish something so great,鈥� he added. 鈥淎nd as long as I play this game, that鈥檚 going to be my mindset.鈥�
Allen addressed reporters for the first time since January, when the to take over after Sean McDermott’s dismissal.
Allen and his wife, actor Hailee Steinfeld, announced the birth of their daughter earlier this month.
鈥淚 think it definitely changes your mindset a little bit. I鈥檓 very excited,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I do think this is going to be the best version of myself in all aspects in my professional career and personal life. It鈥檚 such a blessing.鈥�
As for his 30th birthday next month, Allen doesn鈥檛 consider it a major milestone.
鈥淚鈥檓 not too sure on the science of the athletic peak of a male, but I think it鈥檚 slightly beyond 30. And then hopefully the dad strength kicks in, right?鈥� he said.
What鈥檚 not different is Allen鈥檚 pursuit of a Super Bowl, the one accomplishment that鈥檚 eluded the 2024 MVP and the Bills.
Owner Terry Pegula decided that Buffalo had hit and fired McDermott two days after a 33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round. The Bills became the first NFL team to win a playoff game in six consecutive seasons without reaching a Super Bowl.
Allen is fully behind Brady. Though the quarterback has previously participated in voluntary workouts, Allen said it was more important to do so this year as a team leader 鈥� and with his wife鈥檚 blessing.
鈥淛ust wanted to make sure my presence is felt here, and trying to relay what Joe has in store for us,鈥� he said.
鈥淣ew message. New vibe. New guys. And it鈥檚 been a good change,鈥� Allen added. 鈥淪till respecting the past and what鈥檚 been here for the last 10 years, not shying away from that. But also having his own twist to it.鈥�
At 36, Brady is a first-time head coach, entering his fifth season in Buffalo, and he’s grateful to have Allen on board.
鈥淚t means a lot. It鈥檚 voluntary. And he鈥檚 got a lot going on in his life,鈥� Brady said. 鈥淚t speaks to who he is.鈥�
Allen acknowledged he鈥檚 been so busy with fatherhood, he hasn鈥檛 had time as in previous years to research NFL draft prospects 鈥� 鈥淚鈥檝e been in this baby bubble,鈥� he said. Buffalo .
Allen said he鈥檚 fully healthy after
鈥淎 little piece of bone just kind of broke off and was floating in there. So they just went in, took it out 鈥� kind of like a small rock,鈥� Allen said.
Though the injury flared when he stepped awkwardly during a 23-20 win over Cleveland on Dec. 21, Allen said doctors informed him the bone had been compromised years earlier.
The only disappointment for Allen was not being able to keep the bone fragment.
鈥淚 really wanted it,鈥� he said, before adding he’s pain free.
Referring to his foot, Allen said, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel I have any limitations.鈥�
He could also have been talking about his new chapter in life.
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