Buffalo Bills: 3 biggest x-factors heading into the 2023 season

3.) James Cook and the running back committee

Before Josh Allen, the Bills were a running team because of their inconsistency at quarterback play. They went from a rotating room of Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and C.J. Spiller to eventually trading for LeSean McCoy behind a solid offensive line.

Through these different running backs, they were able to carry the offense on the ground and McCoy even played one season with Allen in 2018. Since McCoy’s release, the Bills have not been able to develop a true run game to take pressure off of Allen. 

Heading into this season, the Bills have a young and hopeful running back in James Cook who can catch passes out of the backfield. Then they have two downhill runners in Damien Harris and Latavius Murray to take on the contact hits in between the tackles.

Now, the backs are only as good as the blocking in front of them but the Bills’ running backs are considered an x-factor because for the last few seasons, Josh Allen has been the best running back on the team.