Josh Allen’s Tearful Press Conference Was Part of the Decision to Fire Bills Coach, Owner Says

NEED TO KNOW

• Josh Allen's emotional reaction to the Buffalo Bills' playoff loss motivated owner Terry Pegula to make a coaching change
• Pegula said in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 21 that Allen did not acknowledge him in the locker room after the game
• Allen broke down in tears at the post-game press conference on Saturday, Jan. 17

Josh Allen’s emotional response following his team’s playoff loss on Sunday was one of the reasons why Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula says he fired head coach Sean McDermott.

“My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver,” Pegula, 74, said in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 21. “I want to take you in the locker room after that game. I looked around, the first thing I noticed was our quarterback with his head down, crying.”

He continued, “I looked at all the other players. I looked at their faces and our coaches. I walked over to Josh, he didn’t even acknowledge I was there.”

Pegula said he tried to engage Allen about the controversial call during overtime that resulted in a Bills turnover, but the signal-caller “was listless” and didn’t respond.

“He sat there sobbing,” Pegula said. “He was listless. He had given everything he had to try to win that game. And looking around, so did all the other players on the team. I saw the pain in Josh’s face at his presser, and I felt his pain. I know we can do better, and I know we will get better.”

The play that led to the Broncos gaining possession and going on to win the game happened midway through overtime, after Allen connected with wide receiver Brandin Cooks on a 3rd-and-11 pass. While Cooks caught it initially, Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian wrangled it away as they went to the ground.

The play was ruled an interception and the Broncos won on a field goal, eliminating the Bills from the playoffs.

After the game, Allen broke down and said he was responsible for the loss.

“It’s extremely difficult,” Allen, 29 — whose wife Hailee Steinfeld is currently pregnant and expecting the couple's first baby — said.

“I feel like I let my teammates down tonight," the quarterback, who had two interceptions in the game, continued through tears. He added that there were "missed opportunities throughout the game."

"It's been a long season. I hate how it ended, and that's gonna stick with me for a long time," he said.

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