Irwin Dwyer

I have been on this site for many years and cannot remember the last time I posted. I’ve been a Bills fan my whole life and the last few years have been among the most fun. Josh Allen has been one of my favorite Bills of all time since the moment he was drafted. Sadly I feel compelled to write and strongly fear that the other two sentences above will also soon come to an end as well. I’ve read this board with great interest for a long time. I think it is clear lately that even among the most ardent Bills supporters there is a growing concern about the team’s ability to have the ultimate success. Some of this concern is expressed based on the capabilities of the roster. That has always been the case and I suspect is true among the fan bases of every team in every sport, even defending champions. I’ll set that to the side. I have seen lately much consternation about Sean McDermott. This is somewhat new. I have also seen people surmising that Stefon Diggs is creating problems amongst his teammates and hampering our ability to be a solidified unit moving forward. What I have not seen, but what is obvious to me, is that Josh Allen has changed and that this is the most likely cause for eroding team chemistry and fan’s nervousness even if unrealized. In the 1940’s, our World was a different place. The last few generations have had it easy in relative terms. Today’s greatest athletes are revered for their exploits on the field of play, but often step beyond their bounds once off of it. They dabble in topics on which they have no expertise, they are in trouble with the law at times. In short, they have an inflated opinion of themselves. By contrast, a mere eighty years ago, men like Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson risked their very lives so that future generations could thrive. And how we have thrived. While not perfect, these men and so many others less known than them, helped create the fields on which today’s athletes play. By today’s standards, Josh Allen, is hardly a disruptive force or bad person of some sort. Please do not mis-read what I am about to type because it causes me pain as a Bills fan. Far from needing to risk his life, Allen was quickly embraced by this fan base. He gave his all on the field and we as fans recognized it. We became attached. He was the underdog who was working hard. He was active in the community. When his grandmother died, fans banded together and gave over a million dollars to Josh’s favorite charity, a children’s hospital. A million dollars! Josh has publicly stated on many occasions his desire to win a Lombardi trophy to Buffalo. Have you heard Josh say anything about Buffalo lately? About his desire to work hard and win? Or have you seen him putting on weight, partying at high profile events, dating Hollywood personalities, and buying beach homes? Josh is young. It is a trait among youth to be self centered. He is not a bad person because of these things. He is simply unappreciative of those who came before him like Ted Williams, or those who gave their hard earned dollars on his behalf. He has lost his way. Might he find it again someday? Certainly; but this is unlikely to happen soon. Ask yourself the following. Who has changed most in the past year? McDermott? Beane? Diggs? Or Allen? The answer is obvious even if heart wrenching. The Bills could receive many assets trading Allen. I fear that will diminish as 2023 moves forward because these undesirable traits will likely impact on field performance and thus trade value. The Los Angeles Rams seem like a logical destination, given their impending rebuild, propensity to trade high draft picks and Allen’s newfound glitz and glamour profile. They will probably not be very good in 2023. With Allen, their pick probably won’t end up being #1 but Beane has shown he can bundles assets for a lucrative return. We could have our next QB as early as next year. This is indeed the inexorable beginning of a sad chapter, but it can be one that does not have to be devastating in the long run. I am sorry to have written this, but I suppose that one of the purposes of a fan board is to share our sadness about the team. My earnest hope is that I can return some day and share the joy of victory that I once thought would be with Allen, but now realize will have to be with someone else.