Bomani Jones Criticizes Josh Allen, Eases Up on Lamar

Bomani Jones sparked debate this season by reacting very differently to late interceptions from Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The contrast stood out not because the plays were identical in every detail, but because Jones framed one as a sign of reckless quarterbacking and the other as a mistake that deserved context and patience.

In a YouTube clip posted Monday under the title "Josh Allen Is Still THAT Guy…", Jones went after the Bills quarterback for a costly error. He called Allen a "moron" for the throw and challenged the idea that Buffalo’s star should automatically remain near the very top of the NFL quarterback hierarchy. Jones argued that the Bills may have accepted Allen’s occasional risk-taking as part of the package, but added that no team can really plan around moments like that. He also scoffed at the idea that Allen should still be treated as the MVP favorite or the best quarterback in football after that interception.

The response looked even sharper when placed beside Jones’ comments about Jackson two weeks earlier. Jackson had thrown a similar late interception in a last-second loss to the Saints, and Jones did acknowledge a familiar issue: Jackson still comes up short late in games, even with a new coaching staff. But the criticism did not stay there. Jones quickly reminded viewers that Jackson is a "sure-fire Hall of Famer," suggested Rashard Bateman may have contributed by making the wrong move, and pointed out that Jackson had been "awesome" for three quarters.

That difference in framing is the real story. Jackson’s turnover was discussed with shared blame, broader context and praise for the rest of his game. Allen’s was used as evidence of bad judgment and as a reason to revisit whether he belongs in the elite tier at all. Whatever side someone takes in the Allen-Jackson debate, the uneven tone is difficult to ignore.

This is also not a brand-new pattern. In 2023, Allen and Jackson lost at home in back-to-back weeks to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson played worse against the same defense and also threw a game-losing interception, yet Jones directed more criticism toward Allen. That history helps explain why the latest comments have been viewed less as a one-off reaction and more as part of an ongoing comparison.

Jones has previously argued that race shapes how the media discusses the two quarterbacks, saying Jackson is often held to a tougher standard than Allen. Yet broader league opinion has generally favored Allen. In preseason rankings compiled by The Athletic from 50 NFL executives and coaches, Allen was No. 2 in Tier 1 behind Patrick Mahomes, while Jackson was No. 5 in Tier 2. In a separate ESPN survey of executives, coaches and scouts, Allen ranked as the best quarterback in football, with Jackson again fifth and one tier lower.

Postseason production points the same way. Allen’s playoff totals are 38 total touchdowns, 4,682 total yards, six interceptions, a 101.4 passer rating and an 8-7 record. Jackson’s playoff numbers are 13 total touchdowns, 2,394 total yards, seven interceptions, an 84.6 passer rating and a 3-5 record.

A fair reading of all this does not require turning every quarterback argument into a larger cultural dispute. Allen and Jackson both made costly throws early in the season. The simplest conclusion may still be the strongest one: both were bad interceptions, and the debate loses force when one is treated as proof of recklessness while the other becomes an opportunity for nuance.