Rookie quarterback Josh Allen will start for the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Head coach Sean McDermott made the announcement Wednesday, sending Week 1 starter Nathan Peterman to the bench after just one game. Peterman was dreadful in last Sunday's 47-3 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, completing only 5 of 18 passes for 24 yards, with two interceptions.
McDermott said he is confident that Allen, who the Bills drafted with the seventh overall pick in the April draft, is ready to play.
"It's the right move for our team. I've got confidence in Josh and I've got confidence in our football team," McDermott said at his morning press conference.
McDermott said he discussed starting Allen with general manager Brandon Beane, but the decision ultimately was his.
"At the end of the day he’s a young player," said McDermott. "We keep that all in mind. Manage expectations. Know that we embrace that growth mindset. There’s going to be some challenges, some adversity and you keep learning as you go and embrace that.”
McDermott wouldn’t say if the switch to Allen is a permanent one. Allen becomes the second rookie quarterback of the 2018 draft class to start this year.
"Experience is important," McDermott said. "He's going to get valuable experience from being ... behind the steering wheel. There's certainly valuable experience when you can stand and watch. But as we all know, there's no substitute for the experience when you're actually behind the wheel."
