ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It's been a rough stretch for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills have lost four of their past six games and would not make the AFC playoffs if the season ended today. The most recent game, a bewildering 24-22 loss on Monday Night Football to the Denver Broncos, led to the surprise firing of second-year offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey the next day.
With so much happening in Orchard Park this week, Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly took to Instagram, offering words of encouragement to the Bills' franchise quarterback and to the team's rabid fan base.
"When we are down is not the time to give up, it's the time to stand up for each other, help each other," Kelly said. "That's what the Buffalo community and Bills Mafia does. We will get through this - TOGETHER. It's the only way."
Kelly also spoke directly to Allen, who he says is the better quarterback.
"Josh, you're one hell of an athlete, football player, and leader," Kelly said. "Even better than I was. You've got a ton of talent and you will succeed. This setback will fuel your ability to fight harder and lead with even more determination and passion. And you're not alone! You've got an entire community pulling for you."
Here's what Kelly had to say on Instagram, in full:
To Josh, the team, and anyone else struggling in life.
I get it! In football and in life it's hard when things don't go as you hope they would. I've been thrown so much in life that sometimes I'm surprised I'm still alive. It's hard. It really sucks!
If you know me, you know what I've been through. People often ask me how I do it. How do I stay positive and keep going. One of the ways is I focus on the people around me who love me no matter what, like my family and friends. I played football for them and I continue to pain through life for them. When I got knocked down, they were there for me and had my back every time no matter how many setbacks I had.
They were there for me through it all and still are to this day.
They helped me to never give up. Even though it's different, we are all like family, Bills Mafia. We need each other to get through and persevere. When we are down is not the time to give up, it's the time to stand up for each other, help each other. That's what the Buffalo community and Bills Mafia does.
We will get through this - TOGETHER. It's the only way.
Josh, you're one hell of an athlete, football player and leader.
Even better than I was. You've got a ton of talent and you will succeed. This setback will fuel your ability to fight harder and lead with even more determination and passion. And you're not alone! You've got an entire community pulling for you.
Let's GO BUFFALO!!