Brandon Allen Bio
Brandon Duc Allen (born September 5, 1992) is an American professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. A well-traveled backup and spot starter, Allen has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants.
Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed around 219 lb, Allen has built a career as a reliable reserve who can step in when injuries strike. He is the son of Bobby Allen, a longtime Razorbacks administrator, and the older brother of Austin Allen, who also played quarterback at Arkansas. His path from a decorated Fayetteville High School senior to a journeyman NFL quarterback has taken him across both conferences of the league.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Duc Allen was born on September 5, 1992, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the United States. He grew up in the same college town that would later define his football identity. His father, Bobby Allen, is the Razorbacks’ director of high school and NFL relations, a position that kept the family closely connected to the Arkansas program for years.
Allen attended Fayetteville High School, where he finished his senior season with 3,408 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. Recruiting analysts took notice, and Rivals.com ranked him as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback recruit in his class. That ranking set the stage for him to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Path to American Football
Allen signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks and arrived on campus in 2011. He was redshirted as a freshman before serving as a backup in 2012, appearing in five games and starting one contest after an injury to starter Tyler Wilson. He completed 21 of 49 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in that debut season of regular action.
He took over as the full-time starting quarterback in 2013, passing for 1,552 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions under first-year head coach Bret Bielema. By his senior year in 2015, Allen had grown into one of the most productive passers in school history, finishing that final college season with 3,440 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He closed his Arkansas career with 7,463 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns, and 26 interceptions, and he majored in recreation and sport management.
Brandon Allen Career
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2016)
Allen was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round with the 201st overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. On May 5, 2016, he signed a four-year contract worth about $2.48 million, including a signing bonus of $147,687. He spent his rookie season as the Jaguars’ third-string quarterback behind Blake Bortles and Chad Henne. On September 3, 2017, he was waived by the team following final roster cuts.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2017–2018)
One day after being waived, on September 4, 2017, Allen was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams. He was inactive for every game of the season as the third-string quarterback behind Jared Goff and Sean Mannion, and he was placed on injured reserve on December 20. The following year, on September 18, 2018, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract on February 7, 2019, but was released on August 30 as part of final roster cuts.
Denver Broncos Era (2019)
On September 1, 2019, Allen was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. After starting quarterback Joe Flacco was injured in Week 8, Allen was promoted into the starting role. He made his first NFL start in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–19 victory. The win showed that the long-time backup could produce when given the opportunity.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2020–2022)
On August 1, 2020, Allen signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He bounced between the practice squad and the active roster before being promoted on November 23 after Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury, and was announced as the Week 12 starter two days later. His best outing of 2020 came in Week 16 against the Houston Texans, when he threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns in a 37–31 road win, while his season finale against the Baltimore Ravens was much rougher, with a 0.0 passer rating in a 38–3 loss.
Allen signed a one-year extension on March 10, 2021, and appeared in spot duty that season, including a Week 6 appearance against the Detroit Lions in which he threw a touchdown pass to Auden Tate. In 2022, he was cut and re-signed within a day during roster moves and played late in a Week 9 win over the Carolina Panthers, completing all three of his attempts for 22 yards. His time in Cincinnati showed he could handle short-term starting responsibility behind one of the league’s young franchise passers.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023–2024)
On May 8, 2023, Allen signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as the third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. After re-signing on March 13, 2024, he won the backup job in training camp and began the season as the second-string quarterback. When Purdy was sidelined, Allen was named the starter for the Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, his first start since 2021, and he finished that game with 199 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 38–10 loss. He also saw late-game action in Week 14 against the Chicago Bears, throwing an interception during garbage time.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025)
On March 14, 2025, Allen signed a one-year, $1.42 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with head coach Brian Callahan from his time as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The signing brought an experienced backup into the Titans’ quarterback room and extended Allen’s reputation as a steady reserve.
New York Giants Era (2026–Present)
On April 13, 2026, Allen signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants, where he currently appears on the roster as a backup quarterback. The move added another veteran presence to the Giants’ quarterback group and continued Allen’s pattern of joining teams seeking experienced depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Allen’s game has long centered on pocket poise, quick decision-making, and accuracy on short and intermediate routes. He has shown the ability to step into a starting role on short notice and protect the football, which has kept him in demand as a backup across the league. His comfort in timing-based offensive systems made him a natural fit in offensive coordinator Brian Callahan’s scheme, which he had already learned during their shared time in Cincinnati.
Notable Events and Milestones
Allen’s signature college moment came in 2015, when he threw a then-school-record six touchdown passes in a 53–52 overtime win over Ole Miss, including the game-winning two-point conversion, before breaking his own record two weeks later with seven touchdowns against Mississippi State. In the NFL, his first career start for the Denver Broncos against the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and his 371-yard passing day for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Houston Texans in 2020 stand out as his most productive professional performances.
Brandon Allen Career Wins
Although Allen has spent most of his NFL career as a backup, he has posted a handful of notable winning performances in spot-start duty. His victory against the Cleveland Browns as a first-time starter with the Denver Broncos in 2019 marked his first NFL win, and his role in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 37–31 road win over the Houston Texans during the 2020 season was his highest-volume passing win to date. He has also contributed to late-season wins with the Bengals and 49ers in mop-up duty.
NFL Highlights
Allen’s first NFL win came on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9 of the 2019 season while filling in for Joe Flacco, a performance in which he threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns. His most recent meaningful win as a passer came as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2020 season finale stretch, when he helped deliver a 37–31 victory over the Houston Texans with 371 passing yards. He has continued to add depth and leadership to each new quarterback room he has joined, even when his stat line stays modest.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his headline NFL appearances, Allen has contributed in short stints for the Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers, often preserving leads in the closing minutes. He has remained healthy and available for most of his pro career, which has been his clearest path to staying in the league.
Brandon Allen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in the Allen family. Allen’s father, Bobby Allen, is the Razorbacks’ director of high school and NFL relations, a role that has kept the family tied to the Arkansas program for many years. His younger brother, Austin Allen, succeeded Brandon as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks and later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft.
Personal Life
Brandon Allen has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, focusing instead on his career as a backup quarterback in the NFL. He has continued to build relationships with coaches and teammates across multiple organizations, and his family ties to Arkansas football have remained a central part of his identity.
2025 Season Performance
Allen joined the Tennessee Titans on a one-year, $1.42 million contract on March 14, 2025, reuniting with head coach Brian Callahan, his former offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The signing gave Tennessee a veteran backup with experience in Callahan’s system, which helped shorten the learning curve once training camp opened.
Throughout the 2025 season, Allen served primarily as a reserve, providing depth and a steady presence in the quarterback room. When called upon, he offered the same pocket-passing reliability that has defined his career, although his main responsibility was preparing the starter and keeping the offense running smoothly during practice.
Looking ahead, Allen’s contract was set to run through the 2026 season, and his familiarity with Callahan’s scheme positioned him as a trusted insurance policy for the Titans. His ability to step in on short notice and run the offense efficiently remained his most valuable contribution, and his experience across multiple teams made him a respected voice in the locker room.
