Josh Allen hat, explained: Why Bills QB wear caps featuring drawings before games

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has his sights set on a Super Bowl, with Patrick Mahomes out of the AFC picture.

While the season hasn't always been smooth for the Bills—their record doesn't fully reflect how hard the team has had to work for some wins—Allen enters the playoffs as the AFC's biggest star. Whether that will matter in January remains to be seen.

Win or lose, Allen carries some personal causes close to his heart—or his head, in one case.

Here's what you need to know about the children's drawing Allen is wearing on his hat for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

MORE: Inside Josh Allen's family tree

Why Josh Allen is wearing drawing on hat in Week 17

In 2025, Allen wears a hat with a design drawn by a patient at Oishei Children's Hospital before each home game.

The Bills logo, however, is not drawn by a child, even though it may look like it is. That logo was actually drawn by Allen a few months after he was drafted in 2018. Allen's poorly-drawn Bills logo became a viral sensation among Buffalo fans, particularly as he emerged as a star, and kids at the hospital now start with a hat that features the logo and make their design around it.

"I get a box at my locker every Saturday, and I get to open it and see what has been designed by these kids," Allen told ESPN in a feature earlier in 2025.

In Week 17, Allen is wearing a hat designed by 5-year-old patient Nico. 

Josh Allen will wear another @NewEraCap hat Sunday designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. The hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund. This week’s hat was designed by 5-year-old Nico, who was diagnosed with a Diaphragmatic Hernia before… pic.twitter.com/P8miABxco9

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2025

After the game, the hat will be auctioned off to benefit the Oishei Children's Hospital, which features a wing named in memory of Allen's grandmother.

MORE: Where Josh Allen ranks among the 15 greatest Bills players ever

What is the Patricia Allen Fund?

After fans began donating $17 to Oishei Children's Hospital in honor of Allen's late grandmother, Patricia, in 2020, Allen and his family helped establish The Patricia Allen Fund to support the hospital.

"Developed with the input of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the Patricia Allen Fund benefits the critical care teams at Oishei Children's Hospital," the fund's website states. 

The hospital established a Patricia Allen Pediatric Recovery Wing, and the fund continues to bring in critical donations while Allen makes regular visits to patients at the facility. 

Patricia Allen died unexpectedly in 2020 shortly before her grandson and the Bills faced the Seattle Seahawks in a critical game for both sides. Josh still played, throwing for 415 yards and accounting for four touchdowns in a 44-34 win.

MORE: What to know about Josh Allen's pistachio farm

What is Oishei Children’s Hospital?

The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital opened in Buffalo in 2017 to care for children, young adults, and expectant mothers. It is named after the John R. Oishei Foundation, which honors Buffalo-born philanthropist John R. Oishei.

The hospital gained national attention in 2020 when Bills fans donated more than $600,000, contributing $17 each in honor of Allen’s late grandmother, Patricia.

MORE: Where Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfield rank among sports' biggest power couples

Previous Josh Allen caps

Here are some of Allen's hand-drawn caps from the 2025 season:

Ahead of his Sunday night game vs. Baltimore, NFL MVP Josh Allen will wear the first of nine custom @NewEraCap hats designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, the “Director of Billustration” will have his hat auctioned off to support the… pic.twitter.com/MlL7l3Pkyf

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2025

Before tonight’s game, Josh Allen wore a @NewEraCap hat designed by a patient at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, Allen’s hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund. This week’s hat was designed by MaKenzie; fans can bid on it at… pic.twitter.com/15vyQhp7I5

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2025

Josh Allen did not wear his New Era hat of the week designed by Carson, a patient at Oishei Children’s Hospital, as he didn’t see it in his locker, but made sure to shout out Carson to start his postgame press conference and showed off the hat. pic.twitter.com/F56LwR2Ww3

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) November 3, 2025

Josh Allen is wearing another custom @NewEraCap hat designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital for Sunday’s game vs. the Bucs. The hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund. This week’s hat was created by twin six-year-old brothers Max and… pic.twitter.com/X9ouftVBtc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2025

Josh Allen is wearing another custom @NewEraCap hat designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. The hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund. This week’s hat was created by three-year-old Ruby, who was diagnosed with Weaver Syndrome, a… pic.twitter.com/kfWuTKyeip

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 7, 2025