SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The AFC East rivalry runs deep, but apparently, the “Class of 2018” bond runs deeper. With just four days until Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has officially broken rank. Instead of staying neutral—or begrudgingly backing his division rivals—Allen is going all-in on the Seattle Seahawks.
His reason isn’t tactical. It’s personal.
Allen confirmed on First Things First Tuesday that he will be rooting for his close friend and fellow 2018 draftee, Sam Darnold, to take down the New England Patriots this Sunday.
More Than Just Draft Classmates
While the Patriots winning another Lombardi Trophy would be a nightmare for most of Buffalo, Allen’s allegiance lies with the man under center for Seattle. The two quarterbacks have shared a close friendship since meeting at the Touchdown Club of Columbus before they were even pros.
“Sam Darnold, that’s my boy,” Allen told the FS1 crew. “We go back to the draft… We live pretty close together. We spent a lot of time in the offseason together playing golf and hanging out. So I’m rooting for my man there.”
It’s a rare moment of public vulnerability from Allen, who is fresh off a crushing 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. Usually, the Bills signal-caller tunes out the big game if he’s not playing in it.
“Throughout the years, it’s typically not watching it,” Allen admitted to CBS Sports HQ. “But I will be watching, I will be rooting him on, me and my wife. I wish I could be there in person.”
Darnold’s Historic Resurgence
Allen isn’t just backing a buddy; he’s backing one of the best stories in NFL history. Darnold’s journey from a rocky start in New York to a Super Bowl starter in Seattle is the stuff of movies. If the Seahawks win on Sunday, Darnold will become the first quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl after stints with five different teams (Jets, Panthers, 49ers, Vikings, Seahawks).
The numbers back up the hype. Darnold didn’t just manage games this season; he dominated them. He finished the 2025 regular season with:
- 14 Wins (becoming just the second QB ever to secure consecutive 14-win campaigns).
- 4,048 Passing Yards (Ranked 5th in the NFL).
- 67.7% Completion Rate.
- 25 Touchdowns to just 14 Interceptions.
“I love Sam Darnold. That’s one of my good buddies. I wish I could be there in person. But I will be watching, I will be rooting him on.” — Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills Quarterback
The Stakes at Levi’s Stadium
Sunday’s matchup is legacy-defining. For New England, it’s a chance to reassert dominance in the post-Belichick era. For Seattle, it’s about validating a massive gamble on a veteran quarterback that paid off in gold. And for Darnold, a win would make him the first QB from the loaded 2018 draft class—which includes Allen and Lamar Jackson—to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The atmosphere in Santa Clara is already electric, and while Allen might be watching from the couch this year, his heart is clearly on the field with No. 14.
