ORCHARD PARK — Josh Allen is back. Despite battling through a broken bone in his right foot during the 2025-26 postseason, the Bills’ franchise centerpiece is officially cleared for the team’s upcoming offseason program. The news comes just months after Buffalo’s heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round, a game where Allen played through significant pain to keep the season alive.
“Built Different”: The Recovery of Number 17
The Bills didn’t just lose a playoff game in January; they almost lost their leader to the grueling reality of NFL injuries. Allen finished the 2025 campaign with 3,668 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns, but he did so while barely being able to walk by the time the clock hit zero in Denver. New head coach Joe Brady, speaking from the NFL League Meetings, provided the update Buffalo fans have been waiting for. Allen is healthy, he is mobile, and he is ready to lead the charge into a new era.
The surgery, performed shortly after the playoff exit, addressed the fracture that had limited his mobility in the final stretch. While most players would have been sidelined, Allen maintained a 127-game consecutive-start streak. This grit defines the Buffalo locker room as they transition under Brady’s leadership.
“The guy could barely walk, and then he’s playing games, and it’s not impacting [his play]. He’s built different. And let’s hope it continues that way, but he’ll be good to go in the offseason. He’s just excited to get going with guys like DJ Moore, kind of figure out what it’s going to look like.”
— Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills Head Coach
The DJ Moore Effect
The 2026 offseason hasn’t just been about recovery; it’s been about reloading. General Manager Brandon Beane made the biggest splash of the spring by trading for star wideout DJ Moore. To make the numbers work, the Bills restructured Moore’s $110 million contract, converting over $22 million into a signing bonus to free up much-needed cap space.
Moore arrives in Western New York to provide the consistent vertical threat that was missing during last year’s late-season slump. The pairing of Allen’s arm talent with Moore’s route-running creates a nightmare for AFC East secondaries. With Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid already established, the Bills’ offense looks more dangerous on paper than it has in years. The chilly winds at Highmark Stadium didn’t stop fans from lining up for new Moore jerseys the moment the trade became official.
Draft Strategy and the Road Ahead
With Allen cleared and Moore in the fold, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft. Buffalo holds the capital to further bolster a defense that struggled to contain Bo Nix in the playoffs. Expect the front office to target edge-rush depth and a physical safety to complement the high-octane offense. The division remains a gauntlet, but with a healthy Josh Allen, the Bills remain the team to beat in the East.
