ESPN

‘On top of all that, the odds are in the Bills favor. Quite literally. While the numbers are subject to change as the season nears, ESPN BET Sportsbook has the Bills favored in all of their 17 games for the 2025 season, the only team to be in such a position. Twenty-three teams, since 1978, were favored to be favorites in every regular-season game.’

‘Dawkins’ suggestion of the award could be heard in many of his news conferences in the last season. The Buffalo Bills left tackle would bring up a need for an award to recognize offensive linemen unprompted, mention it in an answer about something related — or unrelated — making note that there isn’t an award recognizing the O-line. The position is one that doesn’t get much of the spotlight or attention. Offensive linemen were previously the only players not eligible for most on-field awards.’

‘The Bills became eligible to be selected for the training camp series thanks to a new set of rules introduced this offseason that expanded the pool of teams. There is no longer a rule that teams that made the playoffs in the past two years are able to opt out from participating, which would have applied to the Bills, who have made the playoffs each of the past six seasons.’

‘For a second straight year, the Bills will be on prime time early in the season with four of five scheduled prime-time games in the first six weeks. The team will also have a much earlier bye than in recent seasons, setting up a potential long stretch if the Bills extend deep into the postseason.’

‘Moore can play multiple receiver spots and joins a group in Buffalo that includes Joshua Palmer and Laviska Shenault Jr., who were added in free agency; 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman; Khalil Shakir, who was signed to a four-year contract extension this offseason; and last year’s free agent addition, Curtis Samuel.’

‘The defense has fallen short in the postseason, notably against the Kansas City Chiefs, multiple times in the last several years. In the five regular-season games quarterback Patrick Mahomes has played against the Bills, Buffalo has held the Chiefs offense to an average of 20.8 points and 370 yards. That increases to 34.8 points and 430 yards in four playoff games. The Chiefs have two rushing plays of 20-plus yards in the regular season meetings against the Bills and eight in the playoffs.’

‘”Well, you guys were bitching in 2018 about Josh Allen, you guys wanted Josh Rosen, and now you guys are bitching that we don’t have a receiver,” Beane said when asked what he meant. “… We just scored 30 points in a row for eight straight games. A year ago, I get you guys asking why we didn’t have receivers, but I don’t understand it now. You just saw us lead the league in points, when you add all the postseason, no one scored more points than the Buffalo Bills, including the Super Bowl champions. So, you just saw us do it without Stefon Diggs, same group. How is this group not better than last year’s group? Our job is to score points and win games. Where do we need to get better? Defense. We did that. So, I get it, you got to have a show, and you got to have something to bitch about, but bitching about wide receiver is one of the dumbest arguments I’ve heard.”‘

‘Hairston played with Bills running back Ray Davis, drafted last year, at Kentucky. “Tell Ray Davis I’m moving in,” Hairston said. “…I’m just so happy to be reunited with him. That’s a great teammate and I know that he’s going to be someone that, hey, I can ask a bunch of questions with, and he’s gonna help me out.”‘

‘”It’s voluntary. So, guys come and go. Guys have things going on. Try not to look too far into it,” Beane said on Tuesday. “We could all assume he’s not here because he’s unhappy with his contract or whatever, but that’s not fair. He hasn’t told me that. No one’s told me that he said that, but I think that’s kind of unfair to say he’s not here because of that. It doesn’t mean he’s not here next week or the week after. He’ll be ready to go, though.”‘

‘White, the first draft pick under coach Sean McDermott, was with the Bills through the 2023 season but was released the next offseason in part due to salary cap reasons after sustaining multiple serious injuries.’

‘Cornerback is a position of need for the Bills, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll address the position in the first round. The team addressing openings in free agency, leaving limited significant needs, but cornerback is the position left with the most work do.’

‘The Bills have prioritized the re-signing of their own draft picks to contract extensions well in advance of those players reaching free agency. Benford ($76 million), the 2022 sixth-round pick out of Villanova, is one of three players from his draft class to get a four-year extension — joining wide receiver Khalil Shakir ($60.2 million) and linebacker Terrel Bernard ($50 million) — while defensive end Greg Rousseau (four years, $80 million) and quarterback Josh Allen (six years, $330 million) also received extensions in the past six weeks.’

‘Benford, 24, was entering the final year of his rookie deal and now will be under contract through the 2029 season. The agreement is the latest in the Bills’ prioritizing retaining players who have developed into starters before they become free agents — “draft, develop and re-sign,” as general manager Brandon Beane says.’

‘The movie will premiere during Hallmark Channel’s 16th annual “Countdown to Christmas,” and production will start later this year and take place throughout the greater Buffalo region. That includes the team’s stadium, which will garner even more spotlight in what is set to be its final season. A new stadium is being built across the street and is scheduled to open for the 2026 season. A cast has not yet been announced.’

‘It is not a new concept for the Bills to build around the lines — it’s been a consistent philosophy under coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. However, the team has dealt with enough inconsistency and injury over the last couple seasons to confront that area head-on going into 2025.’