ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Rookie quarterback Josh Allen moved one step closer to becoming the Buffalo Bills’ starter.

Coach Sean McDermott is providing the strong-armed, first-round draft pick his opportunity to win the job by naming him the starter in Buffalo’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The team announced the decision on its Twitter account Monday evening after Allen practiced with the first-string offense earlier in the day.

The Bills provided no other details regarding the decision, and McDermott isn’t scheduled to address reporters until Friday. Allen and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are currently scheduled to speak to the media when the team returns to practice Wednesday.

Allen’s chance comes after he showed continued improvement working with the second- and third-stringers in Buffalo’s first two preseason games.

He went 9 of 19 for 116 yards and a touchdown in overseeing the third-string offense in a preseason-opening 28-23 loss to Carolina two weeks ago.

On Friday, he went 9 of 13 for 60 yards and a TD.