Josh Allen’s rise with the Buffalo Bills has created a growing divide in a state long known for its unwavering support of the Denver Broncos, Cowboy State Daily reports.
For decades, Wyoming’s NFL loyalties were as clear as its wide-open skies — it was Broncos Country, through and through. With Denver being the closest NFL franchise, fans in Wyoming naturally rallied behind the Orange and Blue. But on April 26, 2018, that loyalty began to shift.
On that day, the Denver Broncos had a chance to draft Wyoming’s own Josh Allen, the University of Wyoming star quarterback with a cannon for an arm. Instead, they selected defensive end Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick, and just two slots later, Allen was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
For many in Wyoming, this was a turning point. Hopes of seeing their hometown hero suit up for their favorite team were dashed, and feelings of betrayal spread through cities like Laramie and Cheyenne. Some even likened it to the “Curse of the Bambino,” as the Broncos have since endured five consecutive losing seasons. Meanwhile, Allen’s rise to NFL stardom with the Bills has made Buffalo an unlikely second home for Wyoming football fans.
Now, for the first time since Allen was drafted, both the Bills and the Broncos are playoff-bound. If the two teams meet in the postseason, it could put Wyomingites in an unfamiliar position — forced to choose sides.
Before 2018, the Denver Broncos held an unchallenged grip on Wyoming’s NFL fandom. With the nearest NFL team more than 600 miles away, the Broncos became Wyoming’s de facto hometown team. Generations of fans grew up rooting for Denver legends like John Elway and Peyton Manning, two Hall of Fame quarterbacks who led the Broncos to three Super Bowl victories.
But after Manning retired in 2016, Denver struggled to find a consistent leader under center. The Broncos cycled through 14 different starting quarterbacks in just six seasons. As hope for a franchise quarterback grew, fans pinned their expectations on the 2018 NFL Draft — and many believed Josh Allen, a local hero, was destined for Denver.
Allen fit the Broncos’ mold perfectly. Like Elway, he was tall, athletic, and had a rocket arm. Broncos General Manager John Elway had scouted Allen personally, watching him throw three touchdowns in the 2017 Potato Bowl. Fans believed the stars had aligned for Allen to continue his football journey just a few hours south of Laramie.
But when the Broncos chose Chubb instead, everything changed.
Two picks after the Broncos passed on Allen, the Buffalo Bills selected him. While Denver’s quarterback carousel spun aimlessly, Allen flourished in Buffalo, leading the team to four straight playoff appearances since 2019.
Over time, Wyomingites began following Allen’s success, and with it, Bills fandom grew. Trent Weitzel, owner of Double Dub’s, a popular Laramie food truck frequented by Allen during his college days, said the loyalty shift wasn’t driven by spite.
“When he got drafted, the Bills Mafia gained hundreds of thousands of fans from Wyoming,” Weitzel said. “I think it was hard for them not to follow him into Buffalo. It would have been hard not to follow him anywhere.”
Today, Bills fandom is on full display in Wyoming. Buffalo Bills flags can be seen waving from cars, and Josh Allen jerseys are a common sight at sports bars and grocery stores on game day. In 2021, the University of Wyoming’s mascot, Pistol Pete, even donned an Allen jersey and crashed through a plastic table in the style of Buffalo’s famous tailgate tradition.
Chad Baldwin, a Wyoming native and spokesman for the University of Wyoming, says the shift is undeniable.
“Historically, many Wyomingites certainly cheer for the Broncos,” Baldwin said. “But there’s no question there’s a lot of Buffalo Bills fans in Wyoming now thanks to Josh Allen.”
Since that pivotal 2018 draft, the fortunes of the Bills and Broncos have gone in opposite directions.
The Bills, led by Allen, are now among the NFL’s elite. They’ve made the playoffs every year since 2019, won division titles, and are considered Super Bowl contenders this season with an 11-3 record. Allen is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the league’s MVP award.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have stumbled through five consecutive losing seasons, cycling through quarterbacks as fans grew increasingly disillusioned. Hope has returned this year, however, as Denver sits at 9-5 with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team.
For the first time since 2016, both the Bills and Broncos are playoff-bound, setting the stage for a possible postseason clash. If they meet, Wyoming’s divided fanbase will face an emotional dilemma.
An informal Reddit poll last year asked users which NFL team Wyomingites root for. The Denver Broncos were mentioned 11 times, while the Buffalo Bills were mentioned seven times. While the Broncos still hold the majority, it’s clear that Bills fans have made inroads.
“There is a big interest that shifted toward the Buffalo Bills,” said Weitzel, who has taken his food truck to tailgate at more than 20 Bills games.
Many fans may stay loyal to their childhood team, but others have developed a deep connection to the Bills thanks to Allen’s journey. Some, like Cody Tucker, a Cheyenne native and founder of the online sports site 7220sports.com, say their love for the Broncos has diminished.
“My fandom, when he didn’t come to the Broncos, it died,” Tucker said.
If the Bills and Broncos meet in the playoffs, which team will Wyomingites support? Even those closely connected to the community, like Weitzel, admit it’s a tough call.
“I’m going to say the Bills,” Weitzel said. “But I think a lot of people will be divided.”
This division reflects a larger cultural shift within Wyoming. While Broncos fandom remains strong, the state’s connection to Josh Allen has created something new: “Bills Mafia West.”
Buffalo’s underdog spirit, blue-collar grit, and love of snow have endeared the team to Wyomingites, who see themselves reflected in those traits. It’s a natural fit. As Tucker put it:
“It’s very Wyoming.”
For years, the Broncos were the only pro football team that truly mattered to Wyoming. But now, Wyomingites may find themselves torn between two beloved teams.
