Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills

In the world of sports, few honors carry as much weight as having a jersey number retired. It’s a permanent recognition of a player’s legacy—an acknowledgment that their impact on a franchise goes beyond stats, wins, or championships. For the Buffalo Bills and their passionate fan base, Bills Mafia, that honor is now the subject of growing buzz: discussions about retiring the number of quarterback Josh Allen, the face of the franchise since 2018, have intensified in recent months. Allen, who wears number 17, has transformed the Bills from a middling team into a perennial AFC contender, leading them to four consecutive AFC East titles and deep playoff runs. While he’s still in the prime of his career (just 28 years old), the buzz around retiring his number speaks to how quickly he’s cemented himself as one of the greatest players in Bills history. Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills isn’t just about a jersey—it’s about celebrating a player who has redefined hope for a fan base that has waited decades for a Super Bowl title.

Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills gains depth by exploring Allen’s legacy with the Bills and why the buzz has grown so quickly. When the Bills selected Allen with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, there were questions about his accuracy and ability to adapt to the NFL. But he silenced critics quickly: by 2020, he’d led the Bills to their first playoff win in 25 years, throwing for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns that season. Since then, he’s become one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks—combining elite arm strength with mobility (he’s rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career) and a knack for making clutch plays. His stats are impressive: 20,000+ career passing yards, 140+ passing touchdowns, and four Pro Bowl selections. But his impact goes beyond numbers. Allen has embraced Buffalo as his home, participating in community events, supporting local businesses, and connecting with Bills Mafia in ways that few players have. “Josh isn’t just a quarterback here—he’s family,” said a long-time Bills fan in an interview with local sports outlet WGRZ. “He’s given us hope again, and that’s something you can’t put a price on. Retiring his number is just the least we can do to say thank you.”

A critical part of Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills is the fan and media conversations driving the movement. The buzz picked up steam in the 2025 offseason, when a local radio host launched a petition to retire Allen’s number 17, which quickly garnered over 50,000 signatures. Social media has amplified the conversation, with #Retire17ForAllen trending on game days and fans holding up signs with the hashtag at Highmark Stadium. Local businesses have joined in too: a Buffalo-based pizzeria offered free slices to anyone wearing an Allen jersey, with a portion of proceeds going to Allen’s charity, the Josh Allen Foundation. Even former Bills players have weighed in: Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, whose number 12 is already retired by the Bills, said in a recent interview, “Josh has earned this. He’s carried this team, he’s represented this city with class, and he’s one of the best to ever put on a Bills uniform. When the time comes, his number should be up there with mine and the others.” The media has also fueled the buzz, with national outlets like ESPN and NFL Network publishing pieces debating whether Allen’s career is already “retirement-worthy” despite his youth.

Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills is particularly significant for the Buffalo Bills’ franchise history and the exclusivity of their number retirement club. The Bills have retired just 10 numbers in their 64-year history, a list that includes legends like Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas (number 34), wide receiver Andre Reed (number 83), and defensive end Bruce Smith (number 78). To be added to that list, a player must meet strict criteria: they must have spent a significant portion of their career with the Bills, achieved elite success (Pro Bowls, All-Pro selections, championship contributions), and made a lasting impact on the franchise and community. Allen already checks most of these boxes—and if he leads the Bills to a Super Bowl, the decision to retire his number would be a no-brainer. For the Buffalo Bills, retiring Allen’s number would also be a statement: it would signal that they view him as a once-in-a-generation player, someone who has elevated the franchise to new heights. “Our retired numbers are reserved for the best of the best,” Bills team president Kim Pegula said in a recent press conference. “Josh is on track to be in that group, and we’ll continue to evaluate his legacy as his career progresses.”

Another vital aspect of Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills is the timing of the honor and how Allen has responded to the buzz. While the Bills haven’t made any official announcements, most fans and analysts agree that the number won’t be retired until Allen’s career ends—either when he retires as a Bill or moves on to another team (though few expect the latter). Allen, for his part, has downplayed the buzz, focusing instead on winning a Super Bowl for Buffalo. “It’s an incredible honor to even be talked about in that conversation,” he said after a recent game. “But right now, my only focus is helping this team win. The number retirement stuff can wait until after my playing days are over.” His humility has only endeared him more to Bills Mafia, who see his focus on team success as another reason he deserves the honor. The buzz has also sparked discussions about other potential number retirements—like wide receiver Stefon Diggs (number 14) or defensive end Von Miller (number 40)—but most fans agree that Allen’s number should be next. “Josh is the face of this franchise,” said a Bills season-ticket holder. “Diggs and Von are great, but Josh is the one who changed everything for us.”

Finally, Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills highlights the unique bond between Allen and Bills Mafia—a bond that makes this honor feel personal. Buffalo is a city that loves its sports teams fiercely, and Bills Mafia is known for its loyalty, even during the team’s 17-year playoff drought (2000–2016). Allen arrived at a time when the Bills were desperate for a leader, and he delivered—giving fans a reason to believe again. The buzz around retiring his number isn’t just about celebrating a great player; it’s about celebrating a player who gets Buffalo, who understands the city’s resilience, and who has become a part of its fabric. For Bills Mafia, seeing Allen’s number 17 hanging in the rafters of Highmark Stadium will be a moment of pride—a reminder of the era when the Bills returned to prominence. Number Retirement Buzz Surrounds Star on the Buffalo Bills wraps up with a simple truth: in Buffalo, legacy isn’t just about what you do on the field—it’s about who you are off it. And Josh Allen has proven that he’s not just a star player—he’s a Bills legend, and his number will one day take its rightful place among the franchise’s greats.