Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“It bears watching because you’ve got a guy who’s unhappy with this contractual situation,” Schefter said. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon. Again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don’t have a deal done there by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties that come along in the collective bargaining agreement if he doesn’t show up?”’

‘Harris was a seventh-round pick, No. 247 overall, by the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft. After getting waived during final roster cuts, he spent time on Houston’s and New England’s practice squads before being released by the Patriots in April.’

‘Not surprisingly, Buffalo’s pass defense rankings took a notable dip as the Bills finished 24th in passing yards allowed per game (226.1), down from seventh in 2023 (198.7). And that also led to a points per game yield of 21.6 which was decent at No. 12, but well below 2023 when the Bills ranked third in the league at 18.7.’

‘Coaches overstate it all the time that football is a three-phase game, but the reality is that special teams aren’t nearly as important as offense and defense. They just aren’t. However, mistakes in the kicking game can undoubtedly be costly and while the Bills didn’t have any that ultimately led to defeat, there were too many notable breakdowns and thus Sean McDermott fired special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley and replaced him with Chris Tabor.’

‘This spring, it’s a different story as Hyde has indeed called it quits and his jersey number was in play, and that’s how it wound up on the back of cornerback Dane Jackson, Hyde’s former teammate who left as a free agent in 2024 to sign with the Panthers, but is now back with the Bills in 2025.’

‘The newlyweds were first linked in May 2023 when they were photographed together in New York City. They went from dating to engaged to married in two years.’

‘Gray, who is entering his ninth season with the organization, was officially elevated to assistant general manager in Buffalo on Friday. He joins Brian Gaine as the second assistant general manager on the Bills’ staff.’

‘The NFL announced its preseason broadcast slate Wednesday, and the Bills’ Week 2 road game against the Chicago Bears will air in primetime on FOX. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17 at Soldier Field.’

‘The Bills are carrying 18 defensive backs, more than any other position group.’

‘Attendance for the workouts is optional but Cook is seeking a new contract that would pay more than the $5.2 million he’s set to earn in 2025, the final year of his rookie deal.’

‘Bosa strained a calf muscle last week during workouts at One Bills Drive and may be out until training camp, head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday. The five-time Pro Bowler was not on the field as the team began OTAs.’

‘The HBO cameras will be imbedded with the Bills throughout training camp at St. John Fisher University, and they will then shift during the regular season to cover all four teams in the NFC East for the in-season version of the show.’

‘Yet McDermott did not stop offensive coordinator Joe Brady from regularly using the tush push in 2024 when the Bills were faced with third- or fourth-and-short situations. With Allen being one of the biggest and strongest QBs in the NFL, he was almost unstoppable when the Bills used the play, that is until the AFC Championship Game when the Kansas City Chiefs stopped him on four of the six times the Bills tried it.’

‘Dawkins first launched the idea for adding an individual award to spotlight offensive linemen in January, saying the position “doesn’t have awards for being great.” The league did not block his wish. Offensive linemen were the only players not eligible for most on-field awards.’

‘Wilkerson, 28, was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on May 12 and worked out for the Bills two days later. He spent the past two seasons with the Raiders and caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown in 2024.’