According to The Athletics’ Tim Graham, Buffalo Bills co-owner Terry Pegula has “implored (head coach Sean) McDermott and (general manager Brandon) Beane to coax an executive demeanor” out of quarterback Josh Allen as the new season approaches. There is no extended remark from Pegula himself, but Graham claims that Allen was internally admonished for not leading in this manner last year.

That begs the issue of whether this is part of Pegula’s genuine concern about Allen’s leadership style, or simply a way to acknowledge that Allen is now one of the oldest guys in the locker room, and the squad appears different for the first time in four years.

Allen is known as a “guys guy,” yet this has never been detrimental to the team’s success. If anything, it has served as a major spur for Buffalo’s four consecutive division championships. Graham speculates that Allen’s leadership style contributed to Buffalo’s 5-5 record through 10 games last year, which appears to ignore all context on what happened in those 10 games and how the club responded to the sacking of their offensive coordinator. In reality, Allen fared better based on EPA prior to Ken Dorsey’s departure than after, and the team rallied for six victories in seven games despite a viral piece criticizing Sean Mcdermott’s leadership.

All of that background is missing here, but what? Wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ enigmatic internet conduct is highlighted, as well as the team’s need for a quarterback who isn’t a “aw-shucks” people pleaser, as Graham implies.

The attitude indicated here is that there are internal issues at One Bills Drive about Allen’s leadership style, but all of the players’ comments appear to be focused on filling the responsibilities of departed captains rather than changing leadership approaches. Graham quotes veteran tight end Dawson Knox and cornerback Christian Benford on their perspectives on “stepping up” and repurposes Allen’s April phrase about enjoying being more than simply “one of the guys” — a remark made shortly after the Bills dealt Stefon Diggs to Houston.

All three are aware of the significant amount of change that has occurred within the team for the first time since 2018. This knowledge appears to be what Terry Pegula is drawing on when requesting Allen to exhibit

An “executive demeanor.”
It’s a new guard at One Bills Drive, and it makes sense to enlist the team’s quarter-billion-dollar quarterback to lead the charge in ensuring the team is prepared. However, there is little evidence to suggest that Allen’s leadership was lacking during his term.

“Executive” does not have to mean authoritative; it simply means Allen must take on greater responsibility for a new squad and lead these new players in a way that allows them to perform at their best on Sunday.