Josh Allen stands as one of the NFL’s most electric quarterbacks, but questions linger about whether the Buffalo Bills are building the right roster around their superstar.
Those concerns reached a boiling point after Allen’s miraculous comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens, prompting one prominent analyst to draw a troubling comparison that should worry Bills fans everywhere.
Why Does Josh Allen Remind Colin Cowherd of LeBron James?
During his Monday monologue, Cowherd praised Allen’s performance in the dramatic win over the Baltimore Ravens but questioned the structure of Buffalo’s roster. “The Bills have a, and I would be worried about this, they have a LeBron Cavs feel to them, that he’s got to score 42 and have a triple-double to beat the good teams,” Cowherd said on “The Herd”.
The comparison cuts deep because it highlights Buffalo’s dangerous dependence on one player. While Lamar Jackson benefits from a deep roster, a Super Bowl-winning coach, and organizational stability, Allen has been forced to carry his team in ways few quarterbacks can sustain. According to Cowherd, “I still, this morning, don’t like the way the Bills are overly reliant on him.”
The numbers back up Cowherd’s concerns. Allen had “more passing yards in the fourth quarter last night than half the league had this weekend” and brought Buffalo back from a 15-point deficit with a few minutes remaining. Cowherd called the comeback win against Baltimore “unquestionably his greatest performance,” but that only reinforces the problem.
Meanwhile, Baltimore operates with multiple weapons. Cowherd pointed to Derrick Henry’s impact as an example of balance, saying the Ravens “have multiple routes to win big games” while the Bills depend almost entirely on Allen’s heroics. That’s not sustainable against elite competition.
How Much Pressure Does Allen’s Record Contract Add?
That heavy reliance becomes even more concerning when considering Allen’s massive financial commitment to Buffalo. PFSN’s Alex Kennedy reported that the 2024 MVP recently signed a six-year, $330 million extension with $250 million guaranteed, the most in league history.
The deal boosts his average annual value to $55 million, tying him with Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence while trailing only Dak Prescott’s $60 million. Allen’s career earnings have already surpassed $174 million, creating massive expectations for championship results.
Beyond his NFL salary, his endorsement portfolio, spanning New Balance, PepsiCo, and more, adds another $15 million annually. Combined with investments through RX3 Growth Partners and an ambitious pistachio farming venture, Allen’s net worth is estimated at around $70 million, per Kennedy’s article.
Allen’s contract secures his future in Buffalo, but it also amplifies scrutiny on whether the organization can build a roster capable of matching his elite play. When you’re paying someone $55 million annually, you can’t ask them to be Superman every Sunday.
Cowherd’s Cavaliers comparison underscores the central question facing Buffalo’s front office. Will they provide their superstar with the necessary support, or will Allen continue shouldering an unsustainable load that could derail championship aspirations? The answer might determine whether Buffalo’s window stays open or slams shut.