Best Player in Bills History

[Sweats]

I voted Bruuuuuuuce.

The guy was a beast and if you've never seen him play, you've really missed out on a piece of Bills history cause he was so absolutely dominant at his position.

[CaseyatBat]

Its Bruce Smith. He's the only player to hold an all-time league record

[Logic]

It's really hard to compare positions and eras.

OJ had incredible production even though there was NOTHING around him and opposing defenses knew it was coming.

Bruce Smith is the all-time NFL leader in sacks despite playing primarily as a 3-4 DE for much of his career.

Josh is doing unprecedented things at QB, but in an era where QBs are very protected and offensive production is very much promoted/encouraged by the NFL.

All things considered, I'm going with Josh. I think he'll go down as the best dual threat QB in NFL history and, when it's all said and done, one of the top ten greatest quarterbacks that's ever played the game of football. 

To me, given the importance of the quarterback position and the fact that Josh is likely to wind up the Bills franchise's all-time leader in both touchdown passes AND touchdown runs, I'm voting Josh.

[Kirby Jackson]

15 minutes ago, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

I'm sorry but Jim Kelly should make this list before OJ. QB position is so much more valuable. Jim Kelly was magnitudes more valuable to this franchise than OJ and it was for a longer period of time.

 

But to answer your question,  my choice is Josh Allen and If he wins a super bowl this year it won't even be close anymore. 

Jim Kelly doesn’t belong near the list. OJ had 2,000 yards in 14 games. He was historically great. Kelly was historically good. He’s probably a top 25ish QB ever.  He’s not a viable answer for the best player to wear a Bills uniform. 

[fergie's ire]

I would be tempted to put Bruce, but I went "other" because I'm going Kirby Jackson.  Everyone knows Bruce was just a vulture getting all those coverage sacks because Kirby had the receivers on lockdown.

[Gregg]

7 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Jim Kelly doesn’t belong near the list. OJ had 2,000 yards in 14 games. He was historically great. Kelly was historically good. He’s probably a top 25ish QB ever.  He’s not a viable answer for the best player to wear a Bills uniform. 

 

OJ's 2003 yards in 14 games is the real rushing record and the gold standard for RBs to try and reach. Dickerson had a great year in 84 but 2,105 yards in 16 games doesn't beat 2,003 yards in 14 games. Saquon Barkley in 14 games this season has 1,688 yards which is a great year but not close to OJ's.

Edited Monday at 04:38 PM by Gregg

[Kirby Jackson]

5 minutes ago, fergie's ire said:

I would be tempted to put Bruce, but I went "other" because I'm going Kirby Jackson.  Everyone knows Bruce was just a vulture getting all those coverage sacks because Kirby had the receivers on lockdown.

[boyst]

26 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

You are messing with his shoes

Kirby is only like 26-27, he wouldn't get it. 🫣

[Don Otreply]

At this point its likely that guy with 200 career sacks

 

Josh Allen is a incredibly good QB and I would likely take him over Bruce, but it’s a close call, 

[BearNorth]

Thurman Thomas led the league in yards from scrimmage in 1991, 1992, 1993.  He led the AFC in 1990. 

Edited Monday at 04:46 PM by BearNorth

[Kirby Jackson]

5 minutes ago, boyst said:

Kirby is only like 26-27, he wouldn't get it. 🫣

[msw2112]

32 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

Most of you guys were not born when Bruce Smith played and it shows

 

I watched every game Bruce Smith played.  The guys was an absolute beast and is one of the best ever.  I love Bruce.  I still voted for Allen.

[TheWeatherMan]

Possibly biased, but IMO Josh has a chance to become the league-wide GOAT not just for the Bills.  If it weren’t for coaching blunders, I think Josh has 2 rings and is well on his way to the GOAT title.  There’s never been anyone (QB) as uniquely talented as Josh in the NFL, his dynamic skill set is unmatched at the QB position.  

[oldmanfan]

I think it's hard to pick a best because the different positions require different talents and such, but the 4 most talented guys to ever wear a Bills uni to me are Bruce, OJ, Josh, and Cookie.

Edited Monday at 05:06 PM by oldmanfan

[hondo in seattle]

I think there might be some recency bias here.

Both Bruce and OJ are arguably GOATs at their positions.  Bruce has the NFL career sack record.  And back when offenses were built around RBs, OJ had a season when he nearly doubled the yardage of his nearest competitor.  No other RB, QB, or WR ever had a season like that.  It would be like a QB throwing for something like 8,000 yards this season.  

 

Few are claiming that Josh is the GOAT at QB.   But I do acknowledge that QB is the most important position in football today and if I was drafting an all-time Bills team to play by today's rules, I'd draft him first.  

[Big Turk]

29 minutes ago, chongli said:

I think it is premature to include Josh. Right now it is OJ.

 

Not when you lead the NFL all-time in TDs/game meaning you are the most productive player on a per game basis in the history of the NFL. 

[GASabresIUFan]

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2024/06/03/best-bills-players-of-all-time-we-rank-buffalos-top-100/72586456007/

 

 

[HOUSE]

4 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

I think there might be some recency bias here.

Both Bruce and OJ are arguably GOATs at their positions.  Bruce has the NFL career sack record.  And back when offenses were built around RBs, OJ had a season when he nearly doubled the yardage of his nearest competitor.  No other RB, QB, or WR ever had a season like that.  It would be like a QB throwing for something like 8,000 yards this season.  

 

Few are claiming that Josh is the GOAT at QB.   But I do acknowledge that QB is the most important position in football today and if I was drafting an all-time Bills team to play by today's rules, I'd draft him first.  

That's pretty risky, the guy played a Wyoming and was #1 on the possible BUST list in 2018

[Augie]

My standing answer has always been that Bruce was the best player I’ve ever seen in a Bills uniform. I know there is recency bias involved, but Josh has supplanted him in my mind. What he’s doing this season is absolutely incredible! 

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

We are doing this. Who is the best player that the Bills have ever had? Go on record. You can make a case for any of the 3. The “someone else” answer is not reasonable but there for the people who choose to be wrong. The Bills have had great players but there are 3 options as to the “best.”

It was Josh two years ago imo and nothing has changed.