Brandon Duc Allen Bio
Brandon Duc Allen (born September 5, 1992) is an American professional football quarterback for the Tennessee Titans of 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. Across his professional career, Allen has also been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 209 pounds, he has spent most of his NFL tenure as a reliable backup who has stepped into starting roles when called upon.
Known for his preparation and steady presence in the pocket, Allen has appeared in games for five NFL franchises since 2016. His journey from a top-ranked high school recruit in Arkansas to a veteran signal-caller reflects patience, persistence, and a strong football pedigree. In March 2025, Allen signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with head coach Brian Callahan from their shared time in Cincinnati.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Duc Allen was born on September 5, 1992, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He grew up in a household deeply connected to college football, as his father Bobby Allen serves as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ director of high school and NFL relations. This background gave Allen an early understanding of the sport’s demands and the pathways that lead from high school competition to the professional level.
Allen attended Fayetteville High School, where he starred as a quarterback during his senior season. He threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns, drawing national attention for his arm strength and field vision. Rivals.com ranked him as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback recruit in his class, marking him as one of the most promising high school quarterbacks in the country.
Beyond athletics, Allen came from a family with deep ties to the Arkansas program. His younger brother, Austin Allen, later became the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks after Brandon completed his college eligibility. Austin signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft. Brandon Allen graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2014 with a degree in recreation and sport management.
Path to American Football
Allen joined the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2011 and was redshirted as a freshman. In 2012, he served as the backup to Tyler Wilson and appeared in five games, including one start after Wilson missed a game due to injury. He completed 21 of 49 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, gaining valuable experience in a limited role.
In 2013, Allen took over as the Arkansas starting quarterback under first-year head coach Bret Bielema. He passed for 1,552 yards, completed 49.6 percent of his throws, and threw 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Razorbacks finished 3–9. The following year, Allen posted 2,285 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions, earning offensive MVP honors in the 2014 Texas Bowl after a 31–7 victory against the Texas Longhorns.
As a senior in 2015, Allen delivered one of the most memorable single-game performances in Arkansas history. He threw a then-school record six touchdown passes and ran in the game-winning two-point conversion in a 53–52 overtime win over Ole Miss. Two weeks later, he broke that record with seven touchdowns in a 51–50 loss to Mississippi State, while also setting Arkansas’ career passing touchdowns record. Allen finished the year with 3,440 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, then helped Arkansas defeat Kansas State 45–23 in the 2016 Liberty Bowl. He concluded his college career with 7,463 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.
Brandon Duc Allen Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2016–2017)
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, $2.48 million contract that included a $147,687 signing bonus. As a rookie, he served as the Jaguars’ third-string quarterback behind Blake Bortles and Chad Henne, learning the professional game from the sideline. He was waived by Jacksonville on September 3, 2017, following final roster cuts for the 2017 season.
Los Angeles Rams (2017–2019)
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 Rams’ third-string quarterback behind Jared Goff and Sean Mannion. On December 20, 2017, he was placed on injured reserve. Allen was waived by the Rams on September 18, 2018, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on February 7, 2019, before being released as part of final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.
Denver Broncos (2019)
On September 1, 2019, Allen was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. After starting quarterback Joe Flacco suffered an injury in Week 8 of the 2019 season, Allen stepped in as the starter. He made his first start in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–19 win. His performance gave Denver a steady presence under center during a difficult stretch of the schedule.
Cincinnati Bengals (2020–2022)
On August 1, 2020, Allen was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was released on September 5, 2020, and quickly signed to the practice squad. Allen was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2020, after starting quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury. On November 25, 2020, the team announced that Allen would start in place of Burrow for the Week 12 game against the New York Giants. In Week 16 against the Houston Texans, he threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns in a 37–31 victory.
Allen signed a one-year contract extension with the Bengals on March 10, 2021. He appeared in several games that season, including a season-finale start against the Cleveland Browns in which he threw for 136 yards and a touchdown in a 21–16 loss. Allen re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract on March 18, 2022, and was later released and re-signed before appearing late in a Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, completing all three of his pass attempts for 22 yards.
San Francisco 49ers (2023–2024)
On May 8, 2023, Allen was signed by the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as the team’s third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. He re-signed with the 49ers on March 13, 2024, and began the 2024 season as the second-string quarterback after beating out Joshua Dobbs during training camp. After Purdy was ruled out with an injury, Allen was named the starter for the Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, marking his first start since the 2021 season. He threw for 199 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 38–10 loss, and also entered the Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears in relief of Purdy.
Tennessee Titans (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Allen signed with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year, $1.42 million contract. The move reunited him with head coach Brian Callahan, who had previously served as offensive coordinator during Allen’s time with the Bengals. Allen joined a Titans roster seeking veteran depth at the quarterback position and quickly became a steady presence in the quarterback room. His familiarity with Callahan’s offensive system gave him an edge as he prepared to compete for a meaningful role during the 2025 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Allen is known for his composure in the pocket and his ability to read defenses at the line of scrimmage. He has shown accuracy on intermediate routes and a willingness to push the ball downfield when coverage allows. Throughout his career, he has built strong rapport with offensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches, leaning on his preparation to deliver consistent performances in spot-start situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Allen’s career came during his senior season at Arkansas, when he set a school record with seven touchdown passes against Mississippi State. In the NFL, his first start with the Denver Broncos in 2019 resulted in a win over the Cleveland Browns, and his 371-yard passing performance for the Bengals against the Houston Texans in 2020 ranks among the most productive single games of his professional career.
Brandon Duc Allen Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Brandon Duc Allen has recorded key victories as a starter in relief of injured quarterbacks. His first NFL win came with the Denver Broncos in Week 9 of the 2019 season against the Cleveland Browns. He has since added additional wins in spot starts and relief appearances, establishing himself as a reliable emergency option at the game’s most demanding position.
NFL Highlights
Allen’s most memorable NFL win to date remains his Denver Broncos debut as a starter, when he threw two touchdowns in a 24–19 victory over Cleveland. He also contributed to Cincinnati Bengals wins during the 2020 season, including the Week 16 victory over Houston in which he posted 371 passing yards. While he has not been a full-time starter for any single season, his performances in starting roles have demonstrated readiness and skill.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Allen’s most celebrated performance was his 2016 Liberty Bowl win with Arkansas, a 45–23 victory over Kansas State that capped his senior season. He also led Arkansas to a 31–7 win over Texas in the 2014 Texas Bowl, earning offensive MVP honors in the process.
Brandon Duc Allen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Duc Allen comes from a football family rooted in the state of Arkansas. His father, Bobby Allen, has served as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ director of high school and NFL relations, giving the family a longstanding connection to the program. His younger brother, Austin Allen, followed in his footsteps as the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback and later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Personal Life
Beyond his professional commitments, Allen completed his degree in recreation and sport management from the University of Arkansas in 2014. He continues to maintain ties to his hometown of Fayetteville, where his family remains closely connected to the Razorbacks football program.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Brandon Duc Allen with the Tennessee Titans, where he signed a one-year contract worth $1.42 million in March. Reuniting with head coach Brian Callahan has provided a familiar offensive framework, allowing Allen to focus on preparation and competition rather than learning a new system. His experience as a reliable backup and emergency starter makes him a valuable asset in the Titans’ quarterback room.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Allen has continued to serve as a steady veteran presence behind the Titans’ starting quarterback. He has embraced his role as a mentor for younger players while remaining ready to step into the lineup if injuries or performance issues arise. His track record of composure under pressure positions him as a trusted option should the Titans need a spark.
Looking ahead, Allen’s primary goal for the 2025 season is to contribute to a competitive Titans squad while extending his professional career into a tenth NFL season. His familiarity with Callahan’s scheme and his history of productive spot starts suggest he will remain a meaningful part of Tennessee’s plans. Should an opportunity to start arise, Allen’s preparation and poise give the Titans confidence in his ability to lead the offense.