Bills QB Josh Allen to sit out entire preseason for first time

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st August, 12:32 2025

Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during warmups before a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Josh Allen will sit out Saturday's game against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking the first time in his NFL career that the Buffalo Bills quarterback will not play in the preseason.

Bills coach Sean McDermott announced Thursday that Allen would not participate in the preseason finale.

"(You've) got the reigning MVP, and I feel that he's shown to this point that he's in a good spot," McDermott said.

Allen, 29, will be under center on Sept. 7 when the Bills open their season with a rematch of their AFC divisional round playoff game against MVP runner-up Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Orchard Park, N.Y.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns and a career-low six interceptions in 2024 while adding 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

The other quarterbacks currently on the Buffalo roster are Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White and Shane Buechele.

--Field Level Media