Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott Discusses Josh Allen's Interceptions, Aggression

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw another interception in Week 9, prompting head coach Sean McDermott to discuss that aspect of Allen's development.

At some point, it may be time to reconcile with the idea that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s tendency to turn the ball over is here to stay.

There has certainly been some development since his gunslinging days at Wyoming, but Allen has become synonymous with inexplicable decisions interrupting stretches of otherwise incredible play.

Allen threw his ninth interception of the season in Week 9, fooled by Lou Anarumo and the Cincinnati Bengals defense. No passer has thrown more this season, and no one has thrown more than his 38 since the start of 2021.

Allen attempts a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals / © Katie Stratman, USA TODAY

Like so many other aspects of this Bills team, the same issues persist year after year. Head coach Sean McDermott spoke about the turnovers on Thursday.

“No interception is a good interception,” McDermott said. “But there are some—take this in context—some that are either better than others or worse than others. Some of them are great plays by the defense, and then there are other ones where that ball shouldn’t have been thrown.”

Allen’s most recent gaffe falls into the latter category, but McDermott is right; not all of these interceptions are on the quarterback. This year more than others may see Allen getting unluckier than his peers.

Per Pro Football Focus, Allen’s rate of turnover-worthy plays (2.1 percent) is the fifth-best in the NFL and the best mark of his career. Despite throwing an interception in seven of his nine games in 2023, he’s only had turnover-worthy plays in four of them.

It’s been a smoother ride since Allen cost Buffalo a game against the New York Jets in Week 1 (three interceptions and a fumble during an OT loss). Yet, some of the baffling decisions remain, calling that improvement into question. McDermott expressed confidence in his progress.

“He’s learning the difference and he knows which ones are not a good decision … They’re gonna make some plays once in a while,” McDermott said. “As long as the decision is the right decision, we’re headed in the right direction.”

McDermott is correct to stand by the process behind the interceptions and not the total itself, even if it comes across like he’s praising a rookie instead of a six-year vet.

It’s in Allen’s nature to be aggressive and he’s got the arm to do so. However, he’s fallen prone to costly mistakes in three of the Bills’ four losses—two of which came against teams vying for the same Wild Card spots they are.

Being reckless with the football while winning against a bad team is one thing. Consistently turning the ball over in pivotal AFC contests is another.

It’s unclear if that ill-advised aggression can ever be coached out of him, but if six seasons of football is any indication, Allen’s turnover woes are still an obstacle in Buffalo’s path to a championship.