Allen's teammates, past and present, reflect on the QB's leadership - ESPN

Editor's note: This piece was originally posted on Jan. 24. It was updated on Thursday after Allen was awarded the 2024 MVP.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Building a connection with the players around him has always been important to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Even when he was in high school in Firebaugh, California, Allen would gather his wide receivers and running backs to practice in the summer. The idea came from something his offensive coordinator Mike Martinez told him — to prioritize the «before and after,» being there for his teammates between the plays.

Allen took that idea and began initiating extra work, including staying after the unofficial practice, to repeat routes. There were occasions when the receivers wanted to go home, but Allen would ask them to stay, to also get in the work.

In similar fashion, Allen organized a workout in Nashville in July, as he has in the past, with all of the Bills receivers, running backs and tight ends before training camp. Allen still connects with his teammates today by leading the charge and reinforcing bonds — especially in a season when a majority of the receiver room was filled with new faces.

The Bills' offseason saw the departure of five of eight captains (although safety Micah Hyde re-signed to the practice squad in December). Allen, by all accounts from coaches and teammates, has taken on an enhanced leadership role this season in a way he hadn't in the first six years of his NFL career.

The two-time All-Pro has approached being a franchise quarterback by making an effort to become more consistent and vocal as the team around him has evolved. Allen was awarded the 2024 NFL MVP at Thursday night's NFL Honors. Allen is the first to win the MVP award in Buffalo since