Some believe that the Buffalo Bills aren’t paying Josh Allen what he truly deserves, but the star quarterback himself sees things differently.
In 2021, the Bills inked Allen to a six-year, $258 million contract extension, a deal that was considered massive at the time. However, as the NFL’s quarterback market has exploded with even more lucrative contracts, Allen’s payday has started to look relatively modest. Currently, Allen earns an annual salary of $43 million, placing him 13th among all NFL quarterbacks. This figure puts him behind players like Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, and Kyler Murray, and only 11th in total guarantees.
Despite this, Allen didn’t seem fazed when addressing the topic with reporters after practice on Tuesday. When asked about his peers securing eye-popping contracts while he remains comparatively “underpaid,” Allen’s response was both pragmatic and unbothered.
“Listen, everyone’s going to have their day,” Allen said with a confident smile. “I’m happy that everyone’s getting what they’re worth, right? And I think that as the game progresses and guys keep getting paid again, the market is the market.”
He went on to emphasize that he’s perfectly content with his current situation. “I’ve got no problem with where I’m at right now. And you know what, I had my day a couple years ago, and I’m sure someday I’ll have it again.”
Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler, made it clear that his focus remains on the game itself rather than on chasing the next big payday. He noted that his priority is to keep “the main thing”—winning football games—at the forefront, trusting that everything else will fall into place naturally.
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Allen’s performance on the field certainly speaks for itself. He has finished in the top 5 in MVP voting in three of the last four seasons, firmly establishing himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Given the recent surge in quarterback salaries, there’s little doubt that Allen could command even more money if he were to negotiate a new deal today.
Even Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a record-setting deal in 2020, recently had his contract restructured to better align with the current market. But for Allen, it seems that increasing his win totals is more important than inflating his bank account.
As the Bills continue to chase their Super Bowl aspirations, Allen’s mindset of prioritizing team success over individual wealth could be just the leadership approach Buffalo needs.
And while his current contract might seem undervalued in today’s terms, Allen’s confidence that his time will come again reflects a mature understanding of the ever-evolving NFL landscape.
