Buffalo Bills: Focus needs to shift entirely into 2019 – Josh Allen is their guy

The Buffalo Bills 2018 season was never supposed to be about winning or losing, rather the development of Josh Allen and others. Now that we know what we have, the focus should completely shift into 2019.

The Buffalo Bills traded Tyrod Taylor in the offseason and drafted Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills lost two pro-bowl caliber offensive linemen in last offseason.

The Bills stayed completely complacent with an aging LeSean McCoy in the offseason, only adding another veteran in Chris Ivory to help the running attack.

The writing on the wall was screaming that the Bills were blowing it up after their magical playoff run.

The writing on the wall screamed that the 2017 roster took them as far as they possibly could with nothing left to accomplish.

Thankfully enough, the Bills’ front office, General Manager Brandon Beane and crew, read that writing.

Out was the limited Tyrod Taylor and in was the wunderkind from Wyoming Josh Allen.

Out was expensive lineman Cordy Glenn and a lower draft pick and in was a higher draft pick from the Bengals.

This offseason, the Bills all but made it official that they were not going to be competitive.

That was all fine until they started Nathan Peterman over their rookie Allen instead at QB.

The move was made to give the Bills the best chance to win at the time, but they were never supposed to win?

That move, which is now irrelevant, changed the trajectory of the Bills’ season because it made it seem like the coaching staff thought they had a legit chance to win.

Well, they were wrong, even if behind closed doors starting Peterman was to let Allen develop, it did not last long.

A blowout loss in Week 1 to the Ravens, which still makes me upset to talk about, mean that Allen would start in Week 2 vs the Chargers.

The Chargers are on of the best teams in football, so the Bills started 0-2 after taking that loss which was expected.

Then there was the leap play vs the Vikings that took the league by storm in Week 3. This was Allen’s first career win in the NFL.

To get to the point, let’s fast forward a little bit more.

After an injury in a game vs the Texans, Allen was taken out because of an elbow injury, in came Peterman.

Peterman threw the go-ahead TD in that game, but also the game losing pick six, somehow.

The Bills then started Derek Anderson and Matt Barkley. How could we ever forget those things happened.

Yet, at the end of the day, thanks to an elite defense and a weak schedule, the Bills went into this Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a 4-7 record.

Not a great record, but in the hunt.

Suddenly, it became about wins or losses. At least it felt like that for a week or two because of a mini win streak in November.

The best part is, Josh Allen has looked outstanding in his last two games since returning vs the Jaguars and Dolphins respectively.

The Bills now sit at 4-8 after Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, they will not make the playoffs.

But, that is actually reassuring. Here is why:

Josh Allen is the guy.

Plain and simple.

The Buffalo Bills have their QB of the future.

I’ve seen the sample size. Josh Allen has a lot to learn, but a whole lot more talent to show off.

That means this: No playoffs in 2018.

That means this:  It is time to focus on 2019.

I have no problem with the Bills giving it all they have for the rest of the season, they still have three rivalry games left, but we know what we need for 2019.

The Bills, for once, do not need a QB.

They will have a good defense again in 2019, the core will stay pretty much together for next year. Matt Milano, Tre’Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds, are all still on rookie deals.

The Bills seem to remain high on Shady McCoy.

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So, the focus goes to 2019. They will not have a high draft pick, but that is okay because they have their QB.

Now, the Bills are just a complete offense away from contending.

They can use the rest of this year to look at potential free agents who can help them for next year, make sure they know who should stay or go on the team now for next year.

That is pretty much it.

2019 is the focus now.

Go out with glory in 2018, keep allowing Josh Allen to wow us all, and understand what needs to be done for 2019.

This year was never supposed to be about winning, now in early December, we know it is still not.

However, Josh Allen has been that spectacular. If he keeps it up for the rest of this year, then 2019 might become about winning.

Those are the days I am most looking forward to. Josh Allen and Company in 2019. Bring on the offseason.