Colin Cowherd Challenges Bills To Make This Tom Brady-Patriots Leap
Tom Brady and Josh Allen both saw massive increases in production with the addition of big-time receivers during their respective careers.
That's the name of the game and exactly why the current New England Patriots still seek a No. 1 pass-catcher to boost the development of rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
That's another story.
The Patriots acquired Hall of Famer Randy Moss prior to the 2007 season. At that time, Brady already had three championships and just carried a lackluster receiving corps to the 2006 AFC Championship Game. Moss took Brady to an even higher level, catching a record 23 touchdowns from the New England passer, who threw 50 of his own, in an undefeated regular season. The duo ultimately combined for 39 scores for the Patriots from 2007 to 2010.
As for Allen, he entered just his third season when the Bills acquired Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings. From there, the big-armed passer took off, tossing 37 touchdowns (eight to Diggs) in 2020 to lead Buffalo to the AFC Championship Game.
Both of those connections ultimately came to a close. The Patriots traded Moss early into the 2010 season while Buffalo dealt Diggs to the Houston Texans this past offseason.
The Patriots still won three more championships after Moss' departure with Brady raising his game to elevate surrounding receivers. Now, FS1's Colin Cowherd challenged Allen to win it all without his All-Pro target.
"This is what separates Brady and (Patrick) Mahomes from a lot of other guys," Cowherd shared on "The Herd" on Thursday. "They led the receivers. They were the offense regardless of teammates. Brady won Super Bowls pre-Moss, post-Moss. ... If Josh Allen is No. 2 in this league, then you can't be dependent on a really, really good receiver. Stefon Diggs is really, really good."
So, what does Allen have to do to prove his own worth without Diggs?
"That's at minimum getting to the AFC Championship if you're the guy," Cowherd said. "The standard's been set by Mahomes. It doesn't matter who the receivers are. Literally doesn't matter."
At the end of the day, Allen is talented and more than capable of taking his team on a postseason journey. It's up to him to enact a unique ability that Brady found with the Patriots.
"Brady post-Moss stacked trophies," Cowherd said. "... Stefon Diggs was moved. Shouldn't matter."