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Bills' Sean McDermott Makes Amusing Statement on Josh Allen Playing in Preseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 8:08 PM ET

Josh Allen did not play in the Buffalo Bills' preseason opener with the New York Giants, and it doesn't sound as if head coach Sean McDermott is keen to get him out on the field for meaningless football when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

While all players would benefit from at least some reps to knock the rust off, McDermott knows reigning league MVP Allen is likely to be ready to go Week 1 regardless of whether he plays in preseason.

And, when asked about the prospect of getting Allen reps during the exhibition schedule, McDermott provided an amusing quip in response.

"I would love to, if you can put him in a bubble that guarantees he won’t get hurt," McDermott replied.

Speaking ahead of the Bills' joint practice with the Bears on Friday, McDermott — per Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News — added: "As it relates to [Friday] and then play time overall, I would just tell you, I’ve gotta get through — we’ve gotta get through — this practice, go home, or go back to the hotel … go through the injury report and then reset the table for the game on Sunday night.

"In Josh’s case, [we 're] really using practice to see where he’s at and how he feels. And I’m giving him some ownership as well, which I think is important. He knows by now what he needs to be ready."

If Allen does not play against the Bears, then the Bills' preseason finale with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will represent his last chance to get some game action in ahead of the regular season kickoff.

But nobody will care about a lack of reps in preseason if Allen hits the ground running in the Bills' blockbuster Sunday Night Football opener with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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