It is 2026, and if you are asking who is the Bills QB, you aren't just looking for a name. You are looking for the guy who has basically become the sun that the entire Western New York solar system orbits around.
That man is Josh Allen.
He is still there. He isn't going anywhere. In fact, he just signed a massive six-year, $330 million contract extension in March 2025 that keeps him in Buffalo through 2030. If you’ve followed his career at all, you know it’s been a wild ride from a "project" pick out of Wyoming to the reigning NFL MVP.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine the Bills without him. He’s the first player in league history to put up five straight seasons with over 40 total touchdowns. That’s not just "good stats"—it’s video game stuff.
The Current State of the Buffalo Quarterback Room
Right now, as the Bills prepare for their AFC Divisional clash against the Denver Broncos (today is Saturday, January 17, 2026), the depth chart is pretty thin but experienced.
Josh Allen is the undisputed QB1.
Mitchell Trubisky is the QB2.
That's it. That’s the list on the active roster.
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Trubisky is in his second stint with the team. He’s the veteran safety net. While most backups just hold a clipboard and hope for the best, Trubisky actually had a massive "nuclear" performance in Week 18 of this 2025 season. With the Bills resting Allen against the Jets, Trubisky stepped in and threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns.
It’s a weird dynamic. You have a former No. 2 overall pick backing up a guy who plays like a linebacker with a rocket launcher for an arm.
Why Josh Allen is the Bills QB for the Long Haul
The contract he signed last year tells you everything you need to know about the team's commitment. We are talking about $250 million in total guarantees. In 2026 alone, his cap hit is roughly $56.3 million. That is a gargantuan number, but when you look at what he did in the 2025 regular season—3,668 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns—it’s a price the Bills are happy to pay.
He’s the engine.
Last week in the Wild Card round against Jacksonville, he was basically the glue. He completed 80% of his passes. Think about that for a second. In a high-stakes playoff game, he only missed seven throws. He also ran for two scores.
Beyond the Stats: What Makes Him Different?
A lot of people think being a quarterback is just about "the arm." With Allen, it’s the legs. And the shoulders. And the weird ability to stiff-arm a 300-pound defensive end into the turf.
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He recently became the fastest and youngest player to reach 300 regular-season touchdowns.
But there is a catch. He takes hits. A lot of them. That’s why the conversation about who is the Bills QB often shifts toward Mitchell Trubisky whenever Allen slow-walks off the field after a scramble. This season, we saw a scare in Week 2 when Allen broke his nose on a run against the Jets. Trubisky had to jump in for a few snaps, immediately firing a 32-yard strike on 3rd-and-long.
It proved the Bills' philosophy: you need a backup who can actually play, because the starter plays like he's invincible, even when he isn't.
The 2026 Playoff Picture
As we sit here in mid-January, the Bills are once again "the team" everyone is watching. They aren't just hoping to compete; they are the favorites to win it all.
- Passing: Allen is coming off a 94.0 PFF grade from the Wild Card round.
- Rushing: James Cook III just won the NFL rushing title with 1,621 yards, which has actually made Allen’s job easier.
- Protection: Dion Dawkins is a Pro Bowler again, keeping Allen’s jersey relatively clean.
If you’re looking at the betting odds or the local news, the "who" doesn’t change, but the "how" does. The Bills have shifted from a pass-heavy frenzy to a more balanced attack. It makes Allen more efficient.
Understanding the Financials
The money is complicated. NFL contracts usually are.
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Allen’s deal is structured to be "practical" through 2029. The Bills have a dead cap hit of over $173 million if they were to move on today—which, let's be real, is never happening. His salary for 2026 is roughly $55 million in cash.
That money allows the Bills to keep a veteran like Trubisky on a cheaper deal while focusing their spending on guys like Brandin Cooks and Dalton Kincaid.
What’s Next for the Buffalo QB?
The immediate goal is Denver. The Broncos led the league with 68 sacks this year. That is a terrifying stat for any quarterback. But Allen is 3-1 in his career against teams that lead the league in sacks. He seems to thrive when the pocket collapses and he has to make something out of nothing.
If they win today, it’s off to the AFC Championship. Again.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Rushing Attempts: If Allen is running more than 10 times, the Bills are likely in a dogfight. His health is the only thing that can derail this season.
- Monitor the Backup: Keep an eye on Trubisky's readiness. With the way Allen plays, the QB2 is always one play away from a season-defining moment.
- Track the Milestones: Allen is currently chasing Jalen Hurts for the most rushing touchdowns by a QB in postseason history. He needs just one more to tie the record.
The Bills have found their franchise guy. For the first time since Jim Kelly, there is no debate, no "quarterback competition," and no doubt about who is under center in Orchard Park.
For fans, the next step is simple: track the injury reports closely leading up to the AFC Championship. If Allen stays healthy, the Bills have a clear path to the Super Bowl. If you're looking to dive deeper into the roster, check out the current practice squad elevations, as Buffalo often keeps a third "emergency" QB there like Shane Buechele or similar camp arms depending on the week's health status.