ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen has heard it time and time again, from many people: Protect yourself and run the ball less.
Last week, though, that advice came from one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the position: Tom Brady. Allen appeared on Brady's "Let's Go" podcast on Oct. 30.
"I think sometimes he gets used to and he wants to run it because he knows he can gain yards. There's a lot of confidence in it," Brady said on the podcast, addressing injury risks that comes when Allen escapes the pocket and decides to run down the field.
"But the only problem is, from my standpoint, you're putting yourself in harm's way, and when you put yourself in harm's way, it doesn't take much for someone to land on you to set you back."
Brady, a classic drop-back passer, was one of the more durable quarterbacks in the NFL during his career. He played in at least 12 games in 21 of his 23 seasons.
Of those two seasons, one was his rookie year in 2000, when he threw three passes and appeared in only one game. The other season was in 2008, when his string of 111 consecutive starts came to an end after he suffered a knee injury — a torn ACL and MCL — during the New England Patriots' season-opener.
That injury didn't happen while running the ball. It happened while Brady was throwing downfield, while in the pocket.
Brady finished his 335-game career with 693 attempts for 1,123 yards.
Allen, by comparison, has 590 rushing attempts for 3,320 yards un 86 career games.
"I would love to see Josh save those for very special moments and special occasions to run the ball, rather than to run the ball six minutes into the game on a second-and-6," Brady said.
Allen has run for 44 times for 233 yards this season, off his regular pace. His lowest season total came in 2020, when he finished with 102 carries for 421 yards.
"I want to see him play another 10 to 12 years and really see how he can maximize his potential," Brady said.