6 Team Captains named

[Desert Bills Fan]

The official Buffalo Bills team captains for 2026 are:

Offense

- Josh Allen (QB): Serving as a team captain for his eighth consecutive season.

- Dawson Knox (TE): A first-time team captain entering his seventh year with Buffalo.

 

Defense

-Terrel Bernard (ILB): Reprising his leadership role as a defensive captain for the third straight year.

-Bradley Chubb (OUTLB/EDGE): A free-agent addition from the Miami Dolphins who was voted a captain in his very first season with the Bills.

 

Special Teams

-Reid Ferguson (LS): The longest-tenured Bills player earns the captain's "C" for the third time in his career.

-Sam Franklin Jr. (DB): The standout coverage defender earns his first team captain designation.

[Sojourner]

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

[dorquemada]

3 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

 

thought same, wonder if he's assumed a leadership role in the locker room.   

[GunnerBill]

Sounds about right.

[BuffaloBillyG]

6 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

 

Just now, dorquemada said:

 

thought same, wonder if he's assumed a leadership role in the locker room.   

It's not really that huge a shock. Guy is very well known to be a leader. Respected vet in the NFL. He was a good signing. 

[DrDawkinstein]

13 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

 

7 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

 

thought same, wonder if he's assumed a leadership role in the locker room.   

 

He absolutely has. I believe both Josh and Joe Brady have spoken about it in the media. Stepped right in as the leader of the defense from day 1. IIRC, Josh mentioned it was nice to have a counterpart on the defense. That's big praise considering Josh's role with the team.

[PoundingDog]

Last 2 years, it was Allen and Bernard. I can see why it was a very difficult year for Bernard last year as a captain. He got outplayed by Thompson. And McDermott said it was Thompson who stood up and challenged the defensive unit to play better before the Steelers game 2025. 

 

Leadership wise, I feel the wind of change is coming on the defensive side. Chubb steps into the building and becomes a captain says one thing: the defensive side leadership was weak. Gone are the days Hyde and Poyer - even they were not considered natural leaders but in their peak years, what they said carries weight. I can see some new faces popping up next year, with guys like Walker, KEO to take the role if they progress enough to gain respect of the teammates. 

[Sojourner]

39 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

 

It's not really that huge a shock. Guy is very well known to be a leader. Respected vet in the NFL. He was a good signing. 

Oh I understand that he’s a respected vet but his history isn’t unanimous and consistent receipt of captaincy. Would have thought if they were going for 2 from the defense that Ed, Rousseau or Bishop would be selections. 
 

It’s not a big deal but rather just a little left field to me. 

If it’s like @DrDawkinstein said it makes sense. But also peculiar why none of the others guys from last year assumed the leadership responsibility Chubb is reportedly shown. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Oh I understand that he’s a respected vet but his history isn’t unanimous and consistent receipt of captaincy. Would have thought if they were going for 2 from the defense that Ed, Rousseau or Bishop would be selections. 
 

It’s not a big deal but rather just a little left field to me. 

If it’s like @DrDawkinstein said it makes sense. But also peculiar why none of the others guys from last year assumed the leadership responsibility Chubb is reportedly shown. 

He's been a captain with the Dolphins and Broncos. As well as being a captain in college. He's also played in a 3-4 several times and likely had a role in helping implement Leonards defense here.

 

I like Rousseau and Bishop, but neither screams leader to me. It takes a certain mentality and drive to be a captian. Not everyone has the gear. 

 

My two cents is that everyone isn't 

[Buffalo Boy]

Good for Sammy!

I met him his first year with the Panther’s before cutdowns. He was so Excited about being in the league. Really nice to see him making a career out of this.

[Playoffs?]

Surprised no Dawkins 

[JP51]

1 hour ago, Sojourner said:

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

I thought the same thing... and honestly, was happy about it, it is kinda making a bit of a statement regarding how he is fitting in. 

[Simon]

2 hours ago, Sojourner said:

Would have thought if they were going for 2 from the defense that Ed, Rousseau or Bishop would be selections. 

 

Neither Ed or Rousseau are vocal leaders and Bishop is still a kid.

These guys know Chubb first-hand going against him within the division for years and know what he brings.

 

My only surprise was Bernard, and it's a pleasant surprise, imo.

[billsbackto81]

5 hours ago, Sojourner said:

Chubb fresh in the door and getting the patch is interesting. 

 

5 hours ago, dorquemada said:

 

thought same, wonder if he's assumed a leadership role in the locker room.   

Word is he's an exemplary human being and overall good dude.

[Sojourner]

4 hours ago, JP51 said:

I thought the same thing... and honestly, was happy about it, it is kinda making a bit of a statement regarding how he is fitting in. 

 

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

Neither Ed or Rousseau are vocal leaders and Bishop is still a kid.

These guys know Chubb first-hand going against him within the division for years and know what he brings.

 

My only surprise was Bernard, and it's a pleasant surprise, imo.

That’s kind of what’s surprised me is that after all these years not one of them, or any guy who’ve been a mainstay on the unit have seemingly stepped into a leadership role. 

[Beck Water]

12 hours ago, dorquemada said:

 

thought same, wonder if he's assumed a leadership role in the locker room.   

 

Count on it, new guy doesn't get the C patch unless.

[NeverOutNick]

11 hours ago, Buffalo Boy said:

Good for Sammy!

I met him his first year with the Panther’s before cutdowns. He was so Excited about being in the league. Really nice to see him making a career out of this.

Super stoked for Sam Franklin! He went to school in the same county as me. Citrus High School. The Franklin family are all great athletes and people. For such a podunk county in Florida we’ve had some athletes and actors, most notably went to school with Miles Teller at Lecanto HS. He was like 5 foot nothing and a nice kid when we were in TV production class. I left for the military and then years later I see him on the big screen. 

[ganesh]

14 hours ago, Playoffs? said:

Surprised no Dawkins 

Overrated (as a leader)