Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills

As Josh Allen enters his 7th NFL season with the Buffalo Bills, the star quarterback has set his sights on a historic milestone: becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks. Entering 2026, Allen has accumulated 4,923 career rushing yards—just 836 yards behind the current record holder, Michael Vick (5,759 yards). With his dual-threat ability and the Bills’ offense designed to leverage his mobility, Allen is poised to chase down Vick’s record over the next two seasons, potentially cementing his place as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in league history. For Allen, the record isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a reflection of the Bills’ offensive identity—one that blends his arm strength with his physical running style to keep defenses off balance. Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus breaks down his path to the record, his rushing evolution, and how this pursuit aligns with the Bills’ championship goals.

To understand Allen’s shot at the record, it’s essential to trace his rushing evolution since entering the NFL in 2018. As a rookie, Allen showed flashes of mobility (631 rushing yards) but relied heavily on scrambling to extend plays. Over time, he’s transformed into a deliberate rushing threat: the Bills’ coaching staff has designed zone reads, quarterback power plays, and designed runs specifically to capitalize on his 6-foot-5, 237-pound frame and 4.75 40-yard dash speed. In 2025, Allen set a career high with 1,042 rushing yards—becoming just the third quarterback in NFL history to top 1,000 rushing yards in a season (joining Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick). What makes his rushing output even more impressive is his efficiency: he averages 5.2 yards per carry for his career, well above the league average for quarterbacks (4.3 yards per carry). “Josh has turned his mobility into a weapon, not just a last resort,” said Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. “We don’t just let him scramble—we design plays to get him the ball in space, where he can use his size and speed to break tackles. That’s why he’s been so consistent as a rusher.” Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus frames Allen’s intentional development as a rusher as the foundation of his record pursuit.

The Buffalo Bills’ offensive scheme plays a critical role in Allen’s ability to accumulate rushing yards, as it’s specifically tailored to maximize his mobility. The Bills rely heavily on zone read concepts, where Allen can choose to hand the ball off to running back James Cook or keep it himself based on the defense’s alignment. This forces defenses to commit to stopping the run, creating opportunities for Allen to exploit one-on-one matchups with linebackers or safeties—matchups he often wins due to his size and strength. The Bills also use Allen in short-yardage situations, where his ability to push the pile for a first down or touchdown has made him one of the league’s most reliable goal-line rushers (he’s scored 45 rushing touchdowns in his career). Additionally, Allen’s scrambling ability extends plays when the pocket breaks down, turning potential sacks into positive yards—he averaged 3.8 yards per scramble in 2025, the highest mark among starting quarterbacks. “Our offense is built to let Josh be Josh,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott. “We don’t try to limit his mobility; we embrace it. When he’s able to run effectively, it opens up everything else—our passing game, our running game, our play-action. It makes us nearly impossible to defend.” Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus highlights how the Bills’ scheme is a key enabler of Allen’s rushing success.

Allen’s rushing production isn’t just about personal stats—it directly contributes to the Buffalo Bills’ success on the field. When Allen rushes for 75+ yards in a game, the Bills have a 37-8 record (an 82% win rate) since 2019, a testament to how his ground game elevates the entire offense. His rushing ability keeps defenses honest: if a defense drops extra defenders into coverage to stop the Bills’ passing game (led by Stefon Diggs and new addition Brandin Cooks), Allen can exploit the lighter box with designed runs or scrambles. Conversely, if a defense loads the box to stop Allen, it creates one-on-one matchups for Diggs and Cooks downfield. In the 2025 playoffs, Allen’s rushing was pivotal in the Bills’ divisional round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers: he rushed for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 22-yard scramble that set up the game-winning field goal. “Josh’s rushing isn’t just about yards—it’s about changing the game’s momentum,” said Bills center Mitch Morse. “When he breaks a big run, it fires up the team, it fires up the crowd, and it demoralizes the defense. That’s the kind of impact you can’t measure with stats alone.” For the Buffalo Bills, Allen’s rushing is a strategic weapon that makes their offense more dynamic and difficult to prepare for. Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus explores how his record pursuit is intertwined with the team’s success.

While Allen is on track to chase Vick’s record, he faces key challenges that could slow his progress. The most significant is injury risk: quarterbacks who rush frequently are more susceptible to hits, and Allen has already dealt with minor knee and shoulder injuries in recent seasons. The Bills’ coaching staff has taken steps to mitigate this risk—limiting Allen’s designed runs in practice, using backup quarterbacks for scout team rushing drills, and emphasizing proper tackling technique with the defense to avoid unnecessary hits. Another challenge is the NFL’s evolving defense: more teams are using “spy” defenders (a linebacker or safety assigned specifically to track the quarterback) to limit rushing quarterbacks, which could force the Bills to adjust their scheme. Additionally, as Allen ages (he’ll turn 29 in 2026), his speed and durability may decline slightly—though his strength and ability to break tackles should remain assets. “We’re mindful of the risk, but we also know Josh’s rushing is a big part of what makes us successful,” Dorsey said. “We’ll find a balance—we’ll keep using him as a rusher, but we’ll be smart about when and how we do it. The goal is to win games first, and if the record comes along with that, great.” For the Buffalo Bills, protecting Allen while still leveraging his mobility will be critical to both their championship hopes and his record pursuit. Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus addresses the obstacles Allen must overcome to make history.

If Allen breaks Vick’s rushing record, it will solidify his legacy as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NFL history—and further validate the Buffalo Bills’ decision to build their offense around his unique skill set. Unlike Vick, who relied primarily on speed to rush for yards, Allen combines speed with size and power, making his rushing style more sustainable over a long career. The record would also be a testament to the Bills’ player development: when Allen was drafted in 2018, many scouts questioned his accuracy and decision-making, but the Bills worked with him to refine his passing while nurturing his mobility. For Bills fans, the record would be a source of pride, as it would tie Allen’s name to a historic achievement that’s synonymous with the team’s recent success. “Breaking this record would mean a lot to me, but it would mean more to this team and this fanbase,” Allen said in an offseason interview. “They’ve supported me through everything—my ups, my downs, my growth as a player. If I get to this record, it’s because of them, and because of the coaches and teammates who’ve helped me along the way.” Looking ahead, Allen’s pursuit of the record will add an extra layer of excitement to the Bills’ 2026 season, as fans and analysts track his progress week by week. Josh Allen Eyes Rushing Record with the Buffalo Bills thus concludes by emphasizing that the record isn’t just a personal goal—it’s a shared journey between Allen and the Bills’ organization, one that could etch both into NFL history.