Josh Allen is undoubtedly one of the most electrifying QBs in the league today, but his lack of silverware, especially a Super Bowl, has been a daunting factor for fans. However, former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman believes that Allen is a QB similar to Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger, who, over his 18-year career, secured two Super Bowls despite not having the greatest starts as highly touted draft picks — a comparison that should give some Bills fans hope.
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In the latest episode of Dudes on Dudes, Edelman noted how similar Allen is to Ben Roethlisberger in terms of physicality. Like Allen, Big Ben, in his prime, used to manhandle defenders for fun.
Another similarity Edelman highlighted was how the two QBs weren’t touted as “big-name” guys in the draft. The duo weren’t even top-five picks in their respective draft classes. Even so, Allen and Big Ben made enough of an impact on their respective franchises that other top picks failed to. Roethlisberger, for instance, won his first Super Bowl at the age of 23.
“His story reminds me a lot of Ben Roethlisberger. Ben went to Miami, Ohio and came into the league, not as a big-name guy, but lit it up. Josh is just faster. Big Ben, when he was young, was manhandling guys. He was a large human being, and that’s what I feel to a whole another level because Josh can jump over you and he’s got a lot more speed…”
There is also a key advantage that Allen has over Roethlisberger. The Bills star, as Edelman noted, is much more agile and nimble on his feet than the Steelers legend. This is a good thing, as it could help Allen rack up a few Super Bowls in the coming years. He has been dominant in the regular season, but in order to achieve that, he’d first have to overcome his insurmountable playoff foe, Patrick Mahomes.
Edelman believes Allen has to prevail over the Patrick Mahomes-shaped demons in his head to win his first Super Bowl (and the Bills’). The Bills QB has lost four playoff matchups against Mahomes, dashing any Super Bowl hopes that surfaced in the regular season.
That said, fellow host and former teammate Rob Gronkowski disagreed with Edelman on some points.
Josh Allen has been let down by the Bills, says Gronk
When you’re 0-4 against Patrick Mahomes in the postseason, it’s fair to say the Chiefs QB owns you. That’s what Edelman thinks as well. But for Gronk, Josh Allen has always played well in those losses. Case in point — the recent Divisional Round clash between the Chiefs and Bills, where Allen matched Mahomes’ stats with 2 TDs, 22 of 34, and 237 passing yards.
For Gronk, even the legendary 2022 AFC Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs wasn’t Allen’s fault. In that game, Allen threw for 329 yards and 4 TDs, including what many believed was the game-winning score.
But with 13 seconds remaining, Mahomes did the impossible by pulling off a game-tying drive. And then, as expected, the Chiefs edged the Bills in overtime. For the ex-Patriots TE, these instances show that Mahomes owns the Bills and most teams in the league, not solely Josh Allen. The Bills playmaker always gave his best, but the defense has failed to match his excellence, as Gronk added.
“I wouldn’t really say own because Josh Allen balled out for all those games. I mean, they both threw for over 300 yards in the 2022 divisional round game, but that 13 second game wasn’t on Josh Allen. Josh Allen went down, scored and gave him only 13 seconds. That was on the Bills defense and the coaching staff… So Patrick Mahomes really doesn’t own Josh Allen. It’s more like Patrick Mahomes just owns the Bills and the entire league.”
Josh Allen, like his AFC peers Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, is too good to retire without a Super Bowl in his cabinet. But with how dominant the Chiefs have been, it feels like only the law of averages can stop Patrick Mahomes & Co.
