Seen on crutches during new Bills head coach Joe Brady's introductory news conference Thursday, quarterback Josh Allen took to the podium shortly after to provide clarity on a foot issue that has been plaguing him.
Allen told reporters that he recently underwent a procedure to repair a broken bone in his right foot and described his malady as an "older injury" he played through for part of the 2025 season.
"I had a little broken bone in there, so they went and took it out and cleaned it up," Allen said of his recent surgery. "Obviously, not an ideal situation. Painful throughout the weeks. But, again, game day, different story, just being able to put that to the side and go out there and play football."
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Allen's procedure was for an avulsion fracture to his fifth metatarsal.
Despite the injury adding to the insult of an AFC Divisional Round loss to the Broncos and the subsequent firing of head coach Sean McDermott, Allen's offseason program shouldn't be affected.
Rapoport reported that Allen's recovery timeline is eight to 10 weeks, and Allen said he would still be suiting up if the Bills hadn't been eliminated.
"I'm not even lying, if we had to play a game this week, I would figure it out to play a game," he said. "It's a little painful right now, but it wasn't a crazy surgery. Not too long. OTAs, I'll be back, and it shouldn't hinder anything."
Given the fact that Allen said he was dealing with the injury for weeks, it's quite clear it wouldn't have prevented him from partaking in the AFC title game or Super Bowl LX had Buffalo advanced. Suffering another playoff heartbreak simply accelerated the surgery taking place.
After spending the next two months and change on the mend, Allen will dive into preparation for his ninth NFL season and first without McDermott.
Despite reaching the postseason for seven years straight, Allen and Co. have been unable to punch through the ceiling to a Super Bowl berth, resulting in the team moving on from McDermott in favor of promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach.
While perhaps not the transformative move some expected, Brady and Allen have had tremendous success together, finishing in the top six in scoring and top 10 in yards in each of the three seasons Brady has overseen the offense.
Along with all other clubs that have hired a new head coach, the Bills can start their offseason program the week of April 6.
They'll do so with a healthy Allen, a new man in charge and renewed hope that they can finally find a way to a championship.
