New Season. Fresh Optimism.

[eball]

This will be my one and only thread devoted to how I feel about the 2026 season. 
 

I don’t over- or under-value my contributions to this forum, but anyone who has read my comments over the years knows I’m an optimist. Some claim I work for Bills PR. I assure you I don’t. I’m simply a reasonably intelligent, lifelong Bills fan who looks for the silver lining rather than the storm cloud. I’ll never profess to be an X’s and O’s guy or evaluator of film, but I’ve watched a hell of a lot of football over the years and learned a lot from reading opinions on this very board. 

 

The 2026 season has me more “juiced” than any since 2021. Although some have bemoaned the promotion of Brady and retention of Beane as ill-advised, I’ll go ahead and say I think this is the best roster of the Beane era. I believe this offense has the potential to break records and crush opponents’ spirit. We’re talking 2007 Pats*** level — with a more satisfying ending. 
 

I predict that Joe Brady is going to really impress people who thought Pegula did the “easy” thing by promoting him. I have read multiple reports this preseason that there is a new and different energy around camp. Micah Hyde just said so on the Buffalo Plus podcast yesterday, based solely upon what players have told him.

 

The Bills are going to be an aggressive football team, which is what I and many others have felt was lacking in recent years. McDermott tried — he let Josh go for 4th downs at a high rate — but at the end of the day we always seemed to be a reactive team. No more.

 

i think Josh is refreshed, refocused, and will be on a mission no opponent can derail. He’s the best player in the league, an even better person, and he has the most talent around him in his career. 
 

Watch out, NFL…the Bills are coming for you. 
 

Go Bills!!!

 

 

Edited September 1 by eball

[HOUSE]

This team will be lucky to win one game ..

 

.

Edited September 4 by HOUSE

[Gregg]

I have mentioned this before, but it will come down to how well Leonhard can build a good Bills defense. One that can come up with big stops or plays in big moments especially in the playoffs. If he can then the Bills will have an excellent chance to win a Super Bowl. I know the Bills offense will be good. They have been good for a number of years now. But give Allen a good defense in the playoffs then the sky is the limit. In some ways Leonhard is the most member of the Bills coaching staff and that includes Brady.

[eball]

3 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

This team will be lucky to win one game ..

I think I love you. 
 

That’s not gay, is it?

 

[RobbRiddick]

4 minutes ago, eball said:

I think I love you. 
 

That’s not gay, is it?

 

Depends how pumped you really are

[Son of a K-Gun]

10 minutes ago, Gregg said:

I have mentioned this before, but it will come down to how well Leonhard can build a good Bills defense. One that can come up with big stops or plays in big moments especially in the playoffs. If he can then the Bills will have an excellent chance to win a Super Bowl. I know the Bills offense will be good. They have been good for a number of years now. But give Allen a good defense in the playoffs then the sky is the limit. In some ways Leonhard is the most member of the Bills coaching staff and that includes Brady.

 

One big change I am hoping for with the defense is just a lack of predictability...so many times it seemed like everyone in the stadium knew what was coming from the Bills, especially on those third and long situations.  Have to figure that's a thing of the past with Leonhard's scheme.

[Augie]

17 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

This team will be lucky to win one game ..

 

The Bills may be the first and only team to lose 18 games in a 17 game season. It’s truly exceptional!  

 

I’m more curious than I have been in years, and that is mostly because I’m eager to see a new look on defense. Almost anything will do, just give us a fresh look.  It will probably be ugly at times, especially early in the season, but at least it will be a new set of frustrations. We are due for some good breaks this year, especially in the playoffs. 

[Einstein]

May it be so!

[Don Otreply]

I’m thinking the Offense is going to be sharper, with more easy pass options available to Josh, (as Kurt Warner put it), we have an improved WR room, and lots of other options for the play calling team to use.

 

I am very excited to see what our “attacking “ style defense will bring to the overall success of this team, I’m psyched and a wee bit nervous, as is my usual early season self, 🤞🤞

 

GO BILLS!!!

Edited September 1 by Don Otreply

[Jalan81]

41 minutes ago, eball said:

This will be my one and only thread devoted to how I feel about the 2026 season. 
 

I don’t over- or under-value my contributions to this forum, but anyone who has read my comments over the years knows I’m an optimist. Some claim I work for Bills PR. I assure you I don’t. I’m simply a reasonably intelligent, lifelong Bills fan who looks for the silver lining rather than the storm cloud. I’ll never profess to be an X’s and O’s guy or evaluator of film, but I’ve watched a hell of a lot of football over the years and learned a lot from reading opinions on this very board. 

 

The 2026 season has me more “juiced” than any since 2021. Although some have bemoaned the promotion of Brady and retention of Beane as ill-advised, I’ll go ahead and say I think this is the best roster of the Beane era. I believe this offense has the potential to break records and crush opponents’ spirit. We’re talking 2007 Pats*** level — with a more satisfying ending. 
 

I predict that Joe Brady is going to really impress people who thought Pegula did the “easy” thing by promoting him. I have read multiple reports this preseason that there is a new and different energy around camp. Micah Hyde just said so on the Buffalo Plus podcast yesterday, based solely upon what players have told him.

 

The Bills are going to be an aggressive football team, which is what I and many others have felt was lacking in recent years. McDermott tried — he let Josh go for 4th downs at a high rate — but at the end of the day we always seemed to a reactive team. No more.

 

i think Josh is refreshed, refocused, and will be on a mission no opponent can derail. He’s the best player in the league, an even better person, and he has the most talent around him in his career. 
 

Watch out, NFL…the Bills are coming for you. 
 

Go Bills!!!

I’m just gonna throw this out there, I enjoy your posts and optimism 👍

[Long Suffering Fan]

I'm with you eball. 

 

I have been frustrated with the defense for a long time.  It was effective against average and below teams, but left room for the great teams to take advantage of....and take advantage they did at playoff time.  I'm hoping that the days of the offense being told to grind it out in or to protect the defense are gone.  I'm hoping the soft zones on third and short are done.  The change in DC gives me hope.

 

I have been frustrated with the lack of WR weapons on offense for a long time.  I have no idea what DJ Moore's ceiling is, but the WR room already looks much better.  This plus the idea of Josh being unleashed gives me hope.

 

I'm well aware that it could take half a season or more for the defense to come together, but the changes have given me hope.

[Jalan81]

31 minutes ago, eball said:

I think I love you. 
 

That’s not gay, is it?

 

Not that it matters 😬😵‍💫

[HaldimandBills]

34 minutes ago, eball said:

I think I love you. 
 

That’s not gay, is it?

 

 

Only gay, if you push back. 

 

I also am optimistic. I think this is Josh Allen's best roster and im excited about Jim Leonards ability to orchestrated a pass rush on 3rd and long. This was McDermott's biggest failure. 

 

Everything else is hope to the Bills general health come playoff time. 

Edited September 1 by HaldimandBills

[Jukester]

It's fun to be thinking of the possibilities at this time of year....been especially fun in the Josh Allen era.  I've been a diehard for 45 yrs...through the Chuck Knox playoff teams, the back to back 2-14 seasons, the Super Bowl heartbreaks, and the drought years...and I am always pumped for the start of it all each year.
 

@eball I share your optimism. This team is very talented and has the potential to take the ultimate step.  But there are major question marks with the coaching and system changes.  The regular season for me is a set up for the playoffs. Iron out the bugs along the way and be firing on all cylinders by January.  Fingers crossed our key players stay healthy.  

 

1. Show we can compete and beat playoff contenders. First 5 games will give us a good sense.
2. Don't lose to teams that are inferior in talent. This is usually what bites us in getting the 1 seed.

3. I'd like to see the defense come together as the aggressive unit we envision. There will be growing pains early with the new system.

4. Offense will be good. O-Line has me a bit concerned and is the only unit that could hold us back. We have the weapons to score a ton of points. Would love to put teams away sooner than try to play so much ball control.

 

Regardless of the end result, I have learned to treasure the ride of having a perennial contender.

Edited September 1 by Jukester

[Scott7975]

42 minutes ago, eball said:

I think I love you. 
 

That’s not gay, is it?

 

 

[Logic]

Thanks, Eball.

I used to be a relentless optimism when it comes to the Bills. Nowadays, I would still call myself a glass-half-full guy, but year after year of playoff failures and a feeling of living in perpetual playoff exit Groundhog's Day have made me more even-tempered and realistic than I used to be.

When the Brady hiring was announced, I was initially less than happy about it. As time has gone on, my optimism has risen. I think there are four primary reasons for it:

1. Consistent signs from camp point to Joe Brady operating a more aggressive downfield passing offense. I was doubtful that his offense would look all that much different than it did under McDermott, and maybe it still won't. But all signs from camp point to the Bills passing more often and more aggressively, and I like it.

2. Jim Leonhard's defense is just what the doctor ordered. You have to fluster the elite opposing QBs in the modern NFL. You just have to. You won't shut them down consistently, but you HAVE TO find a way to make life harder for them, to force a turnover or two, to cause some havoc. I have faith that finally -- FINALLY -- the Bills have a defensive coordinator in the Josh Allen era who can accomplish this.

 

3. Josh Allen is in rare form. He has looked like a man on a mission this entire offseason. The ball is absolutely spinning off his hand. His mechanics look tight and efficient, there are numerous reports that his deep ball has looked the best it ever has this summer, and he has a more easful relationship with his new head coach than he did with his previous one. Combined with getting to go against Leonhard's defense in practice every day and seeing all sorts of new looks, as well as the addition of DJ Moore and (hopefully) a breakout season from Dalton Kincaid. Josh Allen appears to me to be set up well for an MVP caliber season.

4. New energy, great vibes. This team needed something new. The McDermott act had worn thin. The youthful, swaggy, aggressive coaching staff now in place seems to have injected new enthusiasm and energy into a roster badly in need of it. It is impossible to overstate how big this intangible change could be for the Bills' chances at a championship this season.

The combination of these four factors is what has ME optimistic today. It's still "wait and see" with a new head coach, but as the season approaches, I'm feeling good.

 

 

Edited September 1 by Logic

[Allen2Moulds]

3 minutes ago, Logic said:

Thanks, Eball.

I used to be a relentless optimism when it comes to the Bills. Nowadays, I would still call myself a glass-half-full guy, but year after year of playoff failures and a feeling of living in perpetual playoff exit Groundhog's Day have made me more even-tempered and realistic than I used to be.

When the Brady hiring was announced, I was initially less than happy about it. As time has gone on, my optimism has risen. I think there are four primary reasons for it:

1. Consistent signs from camp point to Joe Brady operating a more aggressive downfield passing offense. I was doubtful that his offense would look all that much different than it did under McDermott, and maybe it still won't. But all signs from camp point to the Bills passing more often and more aggressively, and I like it.

2. Jim Leonhard's defense is just what the doctor ordered. You have to fluster the elite opposing QBs in the modern NFL. You just have to. You won't shut them down consistently, but you HAVE TO find a way to make life harder for them, to force a turnover or two, to cause some havoc. I have faith that finally -- FINALLY -- the Bills have a defensive coordinator in the Josh Allen era who can accomplish this.

 

3. Josh Allen is in rare form. He has looked like a man on a mission this entire offseason. The ball is absolutely spinning off his hand. His mechanics look tight and efficient, there are numerous reports that his deep ball has looked the best it ever has this summer, and he has a more easful relationship with his new head coach than he did with his previous one. Combined with getting to go against Leonhard's defense in practice every day and seeing all sorts of new looks, as well as the addition of DJ Moore and (hopefully) a breakout season from Dalton Kincaid. Josh Allen appears to me to be set up well for an MVP caliber season.

4. New energy, great vibes. This team needed something new. The McDermott act had worn thin. The youthful, swaggy, aggressive coaching staff now in place seems to have injected new enthusiasm and energy into a roster badly in need of it. It is impossible to overstate how big this intangible change could be for the Bills' chances at a championship this season.

The combination of these four factors is what has ME optimistic today. It's still "wait and see" with a new head coach, but as the season approaches, I'm feeling good.

 

 

Thanks for eloquently expressing my thoughts exactly. This is spot on!!

 

The only thing I will add, is that people will soon realize how good DJ Moore really is. Diggs was far from elite, until he got here.  I'm setting the floor at 1100 yds, and ceiling at 1350 yds.  

 

 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

19 hours ago, Son of a K-Gun said:

 

One big change I am hoping for with the defense is just a lack of predictability...so many times it seemed like everyone in the stadium knew what was coming from the Bills, especially on those third and long situations.  Have to figure that's a thing of the past with Leonhard's scheme.

 

And in the playoffs especially McD would play that cautious predictable game again.  I was watching the end of a lions game a few years ago (the one where allen hit diggs over the middle).  Buffalo 0-blitzed on 3rd and 1 with under a minute left, and i just could never see them coming to the table with that play in a similar playoff scenario.  

Edited September 2 by Bleeding Bills Blue

[Dillenger4]

I am so up-and-down about this team. I'm hyper optimist on one side, and negative nancy on the other. I just feel that none of us know what this team will be. How can we? They have played nothing but part of 1 quarter in pre-season. We all have no clue what to expect. Sure, we can read internet jumblings and watch Youtube vids all day. But truth be told, we won't know what we have until the season starts rolling.

 

[transient]

I would characterize myself as an in-the-moment grouchy optimistic realist. I want things to turn out... I have hope that they will and generally give the team/coaches the benefit of the doubt until it's no longer warranted... but when I'm convinced that the moment has passed I can get a bit surly and become very unwelcome viewing company for Bills' games. 

 

I was later to the fire McD party than some, but earlier than a lot of others. The way the Bills played screamed that his angst was contagious in big moments, and he chose to die on the hill of his defense instead of bringing in a DC that could challenge him to adapt. 

 

Regardless of the players, who barring injury I'm expecting to be less of a concern with respect to getting back where they need to be, I'm hopeful that Brady, Leonhard, Carmichael, Fox, etc will continue that energy that's been talked about in camp into tight games and the playoffs. I want to see a Bills team that is loose and confident, as it should be, when it's all on the line, not one that's sphincter is puckered so tight it could squeeze coal into a diamond. And I want to see a coaching staff that is ready to make the calls that need to be made to take games from their opponents, like has been done to the Bills in so many playoff games, instead of just trying to hold on at the end. What I want to see is this coaching staff be more aggressive in the 3-5 calls per tight game that have impacted the outcome in previous seasons, and I want to see a team that is loose and confident that executes them. 

 

And, if they meet KC in the playoffs, it will be nice to have a coaching staff that Reid doesn't have a better bead on their tendencies than the coach, himself, likely does, as I suspect was the case with McD.

Edited September 1 by transient