Since Jim Kelly’s era, the Buffalo Bills have struggled to find a consistent quarterback capable of making them contenders. This changed in 2018 when Josh Allen joined the team. The Bills traded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure the seventh overall pick and drafted Allen, a move that proved to be pivotal.

Since drafting Allen, the Bills have achieved a 64-34 record, with their only losing season being his rookie year at 6-10. This success has led to five playoff appearances and four consecutive AFC East championships, a significant turnaround given their last consecutive playoff appearances were in 1998-1999. Allen has become the cornerstone of the offense, amassing 22,703 passing yards and 167 touchdowns with 78 interceptions. His dual-threat capability has added another dimension, contributing 3,611 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns.

Allen’s consistent performance places him among the top 10 quarterbacks. However, it may be time to acknowledge that the Bills have reached their peak with Allen. If further success doesn’t come in 2024, it might be time to consider moving on.

Although Allen is a dynamic playmaker, his performance, even at 28 years old, remains inconsistent. After six seasons, he still tends to play “hero ball,” leading to interceptions and costly mistakes that hinder the offense. This tendency has prevented the Bills from consistently reaching the AFC Championship, with only one appearance in 2020.

The 2024 season will be crucial in determining Allen’s true talent. Despite not always having the best receiving corps, he had Stefon Diggs. Now, with Diggs gone, Allen will need to elevate a group that includes Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel. If he can uplift them, it will solidify his status. However, if he struggles, it may indicate that Allen is not the quarterback to lead the Bills to the next level.

For the Bills, trading Allen could be a viable solution. Many teams, such as the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams, would likely be interested. This move could benefit the Bills by allowing them to rebuild with a rookie quarterback and a new head coach, potentially propelling the team forward. It may be time for both Allen and the Bills to part ways to fully unlock their potential.