Count me in the cautiously optimistic crowd. I was fairly pessimistic post-draft, and during Allen's run pre-injury, Vikings game notwithstanding. Flipped to optimism after the Dolphins game.
I really didn't know what I was supposed to be looking for in terms of "hope and progress", but I saw it in the Dolphins game. I think if the ask was to watch Allen dink and dunk down the field with 5-10 yard lasers, Tom Brady style, then it was setting myself up for disappointment. Perhaps he adds this to his game as he matures, but what I saw last Sunday was a playmaker.
He is gradually improving as a passer, at least that's what I saw. Say what you want about running, but if it can be such a deadly component of Mahomes' game then why not Allen? I realize Allen isn't the passer is Mahomes is, but the Bills don't have the roster the Chiefs do, either. And as much as I want Allen to be "the best QB in Bills history, better than Kelly", I don't think this has to be the case. If the front office can assemble a quality roster, they can still win with Allen as more of a complementary piece, instead of being "the guy".
Of course, if Allen hits his ceiling... look out, NFL.