10 MINUTES AGO: Bills legend Jim Kelly broke his silence with a fiery statement defending quarterback Josh Allen after the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round: “What’s happening to him is a crime against football — a blatant betrayal of everything this sport stands for. How can people be so cruel? To criticize a quarterback who has carried this team on his back, shown up every week, given everything he had, never asked for attention, never blamed anyone — just trying to win.

To me, Josh Allen is one of the most special quarterbacks this league has ever seen. And instead of tearing him down every time the team struggles, people should be standing behind him.”

Jim Kelly’s statement comes at a time when Allen, who had put in yet another stellar season, found himself under intense scrutiny following the Bills’ painful defeat in the Divisional Round. Despite his valiant efforts on the field, many fans and analysts alike turned their criticism towards Allen, pointing fingers at his mistakes during critical moments of the game. But for Kelly, a Hall of Fame quarterback and one of the most revered figures in Bills history, it was clear that Allen was not the problem.

In fact, Kelly believes that Allen has been the heart and soul of the franchise, consistently stepping up when his team needed him the most. Allen’s leadership and his ability to perform under pressure were not to be discounted simply because of one loss.

Kelly’s defense of Allen was not just an emotional reaction, but a well-thought-out rebuttal against those who have failed to appreciate the quarterback’s journey and commitment. “Josh Allen has carried this team through thick and thin,” Kelly continued, his voice filled with passion. “He’s the reason this team has made it to the playoffs year after year. He’s the reason the Bills are even in the conversation as contenders. And yet, after one tough loss, people want to tear him down.

It’s not fair, and it’s not right.” Kelly’s words reflect the frustration many within the Bills’ fanbase have felt over the years as their team has continuously fallen short of championship glory. But rather than point the finger at the quarterback, Kelly believes it’s time to show support and acknowledge the hard work Allen has put into the franchise.

The loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round was especially tough for the Bills, who had high hopes of advancing further in the playoffs. The game ended in a dramatic overtime finish, with the Broncos narrowly escaping with a 33-30 victory. In the aftermath, many pundits focused on Allen’s performance, analyzing every throw and decision he made during the game. Some pointed to a key interception, while others scrutinized his decision-making in the final minutes of regulation. However, Kelly was adamant that placing the blame solely on Allen was not only misguided but unjust.

“Every quarterback has bad games, but you don’t throw them under the bus because of one bad performance,” Kelly asserted. “You support them, you lift them up, and you help them get better. That’s what being a team is all about.”

For Kelly, the problem was not with Allen’s talent or leadership, but with the expectations placed upon him. “People expect Josh to be perfect, but that’s not how this game works,” Kelly said. “He’s a human being, not a machine. He’s going to make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less of a player or a leader.” This defense of Allen comes at a critical juncture in his career. As a young quarterback with immense potential, the expectations for Allen are sky-high.

The Bills’ fanbase has long been waiting for a Super Bowl appearance, and many see Allen as the key to bringing that dream to fruition. But the pressure of carrying an entire franchise can take a toll, and Kelly believes that Allen deserves to be given the support he needs, rather than be unfairly criticized when things don’t go as planned.

Allen’s journey has been anything but easy. Coming into the NFL as a raw talent, his first few seasons were marked by growing pains and inconsistency. However, through hard work and dedication, he blossomed into one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. His arm strength, mobility, and leadership on the field quickly earned him the admiration of teammates and fans alike. He led the Bills to multiple playoff appearances, and the team became one of the most exciting and promising in the NFL. But despite all his accomplishments, Allen has never been immune to criticism.

Some of it has been warranted, as with any player, but much of it has come from an unrealistic expectation that he should be perfect every time he steps on the field.

Kelly’s defense of Allen also highlights the broader issue within the NFL of how quarterbacks are treated, particularly those who are seen as the franchise’s cornerstone. The quarterback position is the most high-profile in football, and with that comes a tremendous amount of pressure. But Kelly believes that instead of putting even more weight on Allen’s shoulders, it’s time to recognize the bigger picture. “Football is a team sport,” Kelly said. “Josh can’t win the game by himself.

It takes a complete team effort to get the job done, and that includes the coaches, the offensive line, the receivers, and the defense.” He pointed out that the Bills’ struggles in the Divisional Round were not solely the result of Allen’s play, but rather a combination of factors, including missed opportunities and the inability to execute in critical moments.

Kelly’s statement was not just a defense of Allen, but also a call to action for the Bills’ fanbase and the NFL community as a whole. “Instead of tearing Josh down, we need to rally behind him,” Kelly said with conviction. “We need to support him, trust him, and believe in him, just as we did when he first came into this league. He’s done more for this team than anyone could have imagined.

Now it’s time for us to stand by him, no matter what.” Kelly’s words resonate with the larger narrative of a team and a fanbase that has endured decades of heartbreak and frustration. The Bills have always been a team with incredible potential, but they’ve been held back by a lack of consistent success on the biggest stage. Allen represents the hope of a new era, one where the Bills are no longer just a competitive team, but one that can challenge for championships year in and year out.

As the Bills look toward the future, Kelly’s support of Allen sends a powerful message to both the team and its fans: the journey is far from over, and there is still plenty of room for growth. “This team is close,” Kelly said, his voice filled with optimism. “Josh is the leader they need, and with the right pieces around him, this team can do great things. The best is yet to come.” Kelly’s belief in Allen and the future of the Bills organization mirrors the sentiment shared by many of the team’s supporters.

The Divisional Round loss to the Broncos was a painful reminder of how fragile success in the NFL can be, but it also served as a catalyst for renewed hope and commitment to the team’s long-term goals.

For Allen, this outpouring of support from a legend like Jim Kelly is a powerful reminder of the foundation on which his career is built. While the critics may be loud, they are a small fraction of those who recognize the extraordinary talent and leadership that Allen brings to the field. With Kelly’s endorsement, Allen has the backing of not only his teammates and coaches but also the legends of the franchise.

As the offseason begins and the Bills prepare for the challenges of the next year, Allen can take solace in the fact that he is not alone on this journey. The entire city of Buffalo, the Bills’ fanbase, and the organization itself are behind him, ready to push forward in pursuit of the ultimate goal: a Super Bowl championship.

In the end, Jim Kelly’s words serve as a reminder that in football, as in life, success is never guaranteed, and the road to greatness is filled with setbacks and struggles. But with the right support, determination, and leadership, it is a road that can be navigated, one victory at a time. For Josh Allen, the best is yet to come. And for the Buffalo Bills, their time to shine may be just around the corner.

The Falcons will be contenders for a long time after these hires

The Atlanta Falcons have made some massive moves this offseason as they prepare to take over the NFC South. With a new president of football, head coach, and soon-to-be general manager, the Falcons are almost finished replenishing their revamped leadership team.

Now that it’s nearly fully assembled, we can glance up from the dust of a hectic coaching cycle and say the Falcons stand alone atop the NFC South. New head coach Kevin Stefanski will overtake the division as the best head coach, and it’s not close.

The biggest contender, Buccaneers’ head coach Todd Bowles, has led Tampa Bay to three playoff appearances since 2022, but has never capitalized on that success. Bowles has yet to prove he can turn good into elite, and it’s shown.

The Bucs won the NFC South three straight seasons under Bowles’ leadership until a rough second half of 2025 ended the streak. Over the three playoff seasons, the Bucs went 27-24, and 1-3 in the playoffs, and he’s entering 2026 on the hot seat.

Kevin Stefanski is instantly the best head coach in the NFC South and it isn’t close

The 2024 Buccaneers were the best of the trio, with Baker Mayfield throwing for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and Mike Evans notching his 11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season. Despite regular season success, the team stumbled and fell in the playoffs.

Stefanski also only has one playoff victory through two appearances, but with a much worse roster. The 2023 Cleveland Browns finished the season 11-6 off the back of an elite defense led by Myles Garrett’s 14 sacks.

Despite Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson each starting multiple games at quarterback, the Browns finished 10th in scoring offense and 16th in total offense.

2023 proved Stefanski can do more with less, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Fans in Cleveland may have been calling for Stefanski’s job, but not as much as fans in Tampa Bay. After the midseason collapse, Bucs’ fans were impatiently awaiting news of Tampa Bay to follow Atlanta’s lead.

The other two NFC South coaches have just three years combined as head coaches, and haven’t proved much. Dave Canales led the Panthers to an NFC South title despite just an 8-9 record. The trip to the playoffs didn’t last long, but 2025 was a massive improvement from a 5-12 campaign in 2024.

Kellen Moore was an elite OC in Philadelphia before becoming the Saints’ head coach in 2025. His first season in New Orleans didn’t go well, but there are some strong takeaways from the 6-11 opening season, especially at the quarterback position.

Out of the three rival head coaches, Moore definitely has the highest ceiling, but hasn’t gotten a chance to prove it.

Thanks to Matt Ryan, the Falcons now boast the best head coach in the division. If a couple of key offseason moves are made, the Falcons will become real contenders immediately. The four-game win streak to cap the 2025 season was exciting, but there’s more to come in Atlanta if Stefanski brings in the right staff.

Regardless, Falcons’ fans can rest easy knowing the right guys are at the helm.