Josh Allen ties Jim Kelly’s Bills passing TD record

Of all the ways Josh Allen could have tied Jim Kelly’s franchise record for career touchdown passes, a backhanded shovel pass to wide receiver Keon Coleman probably wasn’t on anyone’s list. However, that’s exactly how the Buffalo Bills quarterback made history Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, NV.  

Allen entered Sunday’s game with 256 combined passing touchdowns, just two behind Kelly’s 258. By the time Buffalo finished its 33-30 win over the Raiders, the two quarterbacks were tied on top of the franchise list. 

Touchdown No. 257 came in the second quarter, when Allen connected with wide receiver Khalil Shakir on a nine-yard pass. That brought his career total to 257, leaving him one away from Kelly. 

Then, in the third quarter, Allen found himself facing 3rd & 8 from the Raiders’ 12-yard line with the Las Vegas defense closing in around him. He spun away from the pressure and, with defenders blocking running lanes, flipped an unbelievable backhanded shovel pass to Coleman in the end zone. 

The 12-yard touchdown gave Buffalo a 23-13 lead with 6:22 left in the third quarter. It also gave Allen career passing touchdown No. 258, tying Kelly’s franchise record. 

While we can compare seasons – Kelly’s 11 to Allen’s nine – there’s the argument that a season is longer now than it was then. But when we look at games, Allen is still ahead of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Bills all-timer’s pace. Kelly played 160 regular-season and 17 postseason games over his 11 seasons in Buffalo. Allen has played 134 regular-season games and has 15 postseason appearances. That’s 28 less games.  

Kelly does still have the regular-season record, but it’s doubtful that will last the remainder of the 2026 NFL season. The quarterback who led the Bills to their only Super Bowl appearances has 237 touchdown passes in the regular season. Allen sits at 229.