Bills’ Josh Allen: “I think we’re on the right track.”

New York’s Orchard Park — Josh Allen voiced optimism about the Buffalo Bills’ future after the team finished the regular season without making it to the AFC championship game or the Super Bowl once more on Sunday night.

The Bills finished the season against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, despite coming back from a 6-6 deficit to win the AFC East and string together a six-game winning run. Buffalo had missed the AFC Championship Game, which Allen had only once in his six seasons, for the third year in a row.

Given the number of unanswered questions the Bills have going into the offseason, this season was considered crucial.

However, 27-year-old Allen stated he is not concerned about the championship window closing.

“I believe in what we’ve got going on here and the people that are in charge,” he stated on Monday. “I have confidence in myself. And it won’t ever alter.”

Buffalo is simply 5-5 in postseason games, despite the success Allen has had in his ten career games—64.6% completion percentage, 21 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 83 rushing attempts for 563 yards, and 5 rushing scores. Following their most recent loss to the Chiefs, Buffalo became the first club to be eliminated three times in four years by the same opponent since the 49ers were ousted in three consecutive seasons by the Green Bay Packers from 1995 to 1997.

The Chiefs and Ravens are the only two teams with a higher regular-season winning percentage than the Bills since Allen was selected in the 2018 draft. The Bills are tied with the 2017–21 New Orleans Saints for the most wins in a five-year timeframe without winning the Super Bowl with 58 regular-season victories over the previous five seasons (second only to the Chiefs).

Colleagues in the locker room discussed how well Allen performed in the latter part of the season and throughout, with many—including the quarterback—endorsing the work that head coach Sean McDermott done.

“All signs are still pointing up with this team,” Allen stated. “Yes, it seems hopeless. Additionally, a lot of things will probably change. To be honest, I don’t know anything about it and I can’t concentrate on it. All I have to do is keep working hard, encouraging the guys here, and attempting to bring everyone together. And it requires an entire organization—some serious self-examination and lengthy talks with those inside and outside the building inquiring about what more they can do. What can I do better?’ and using that knowledge to grow, and that’s precisely what I intend to do.”

The Bills are approximately $49 million over the projected salary cap heading into the offseason.

Stefon Diggs, a 30-year-old wide receiver, is one of the players under scrutiny. He averaged 41 receiving yards with zero touchdowns over the final seven games, including the playoffs. He has never gone seven games in a row without a receiving touchdown in his career. Diggs is expected to incur a $27.9 million cap charge.

Von Miller, a pass-rusher who turned 35 in March and had no sacks this season, will be subject to a $23.9 million cap hit as he recovers from surgery on his right ACL in December 2022 and is still being looked into for a possible attack on his pregnant girlfriend.

This roster appears to be in for significant changes when you factor in the fact that veteran safety Micah Hyde will become a free agent in March, possibly retiring, and that receiver Gabe Davis stated on Monday that he intends to test free agency. Additionally, linebacker Matt Milano (right leg) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (right Achilles) are recovering from season-ending injuries and are expected to be among the top seven in cap value.

Allen remarked, “Long road ahead, long offseason.” “Got to continue to keep putting in the work and getting better in the offseason and getting together with guys and figuring out what we can do to get over this hump.”