Two of football’s most prominent commentators are seemingly going at it.
Appearing on “First Things First” on Wednesday, Fox Sports’ Nick Wright said it was “galling” to see ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky defend Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who was undermined by an NFL executive during ESPN’s annual ranking at the position.
“Dan went on to make things up,” Wright said, simultaneously calling Orlovsky his “pal.”
Wright’s major source of criticism for Orlovsky was the ex-quarterback’s assertion that Allen ever got close to hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, outlining that the team has only even reached the AFC championship game one time with Allen.
“He is a wildly talented, flawed player, which is what this NFL exec said,” Wright explained, summarizing why he believed Orlovsky was incorrect.
During his original segment on “Get Up,” Orlovsky lambasted the executive’s assessment of Allen.
“He’s an idiot, that source, respectfully,” the 40-year-old quipped. “That’s moronic to say. … Josh is two or three plays away from being a multi-Super Bowl-appearing quarterback, and potentially Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
“He’s lost to Kansas City in the playoffs by freak defense, and lost to Kansas City in the playoffs by a missed field goal. … For some reason, I don’t know what the reason is, Josh Allen has become the cover guy for who can become the biggest hater and say the dumbest stuff.”
The 28-year-old Allen has become a bit of an enigma for both fans and pundits to analyze.
On one hand, the former first-round pick has been wildly productive as both a passer and runner, finishing top five in MVP voting in three of the last four years and ranking fourth in expected points added per play among qualifying quarterbacks since 2019.
At the same time, Allen’s turnover numbers have stayed elevated.
The Bills star’s 57 interceptions over the last four years are easily the most in football, while his 37 fumbles rank second in that span.
Allen’s signature reckless style of football can generate unfathomable highlights but also some inexplicable decisions.
With Buffalo bowing out to the Chiefs by three points in the AFC divisional last year — largely due to kicker Tyler Bass missing a 44-yard field goal with only 1:47 left — the team reloaded this offseason, trading receiver star Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
Other changes for the Bills include losing secondary fixtures Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, not to mention receiver Gabe Davis.
Now playing with No. 33 pick Keon Coleman as his anticipated No. 1 target, Allen and the Bills look to finally reach the ever-evasive evasive Super Bowl for the first time since 1993 — and prove defenders like Orlovsky right.
Buffalo reports to training camp in Rochester, N.Y., on July 23.