Last week, the Buffalo Bills hosted their first public event at Highmark Stadium with the annual Return of the Blue and Red practice. Later this afternoon, the Bills will play their first football game in their new stadium when Buffalo welcomes the Carolina Panthers to Western New York for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Week 1 of the preseason.
We know that Josh Allen “would love to play” in Buffalo’s preseason opener, and that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard expects his starters to “let it rip” against
Carolina. But what else can Bills fans expect in the preseason opener for both teams?
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by previewing the key players to watch when Buffalo and Carolina square off this afternoon.
Check out the assessments and then be sure to let us know in the comments section what you will be watching for when the Bills play their preseason opener.
What can Bills fans expect in Week 1 of preseason?
One of the biggest issues a team has to handle in the preseason is how much to play their starters, especially in the preseason opener. If Josh Allen gets his wish, he will start in Week 1 with the rest of Buffalo’s first-stringers in the first game action with Joe Brady as head coach.
“I would love to play,” Allen said after practice on Thursday. “I couldn’t tell you how long or how many drives or what’s the case there, but to get out there and get a good feeling and a good sense of the game and a good sense of the guys around me, I feel like that’s important to do.”
Brady echoed those sentiments, telling reporters before Thursday’s practice that he plans on playing all of his healthy starters for at least a little bit vs. the Panthers.
“Everybody that’s healthy is going to be playing out there on Saturday,” Brady said Thursday. “I want to see guys get hit, I want to see guys tackle, I want to see the finishing of the play and all of this. There’s so many variables with it. We obviously have a new everything, right, so it’s our first opportunity for us to come together and show an example of what the Buffalo Bills are about, too, so I think that’s important.”
We run through some of the positional battles and key players to watch in Week 1 of the preseason; see how the preseason will determine who claims the backup QB job between Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele; learn how defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard expects his starters to “let it rip” in the preseason opener; share how Bills fans can watch the game from home; and more!
- Five things to watch as the Buffalo Bills take on the Carolina Panthers in the preseason – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- 5 players to watch in Bills vs. Panthers | Preseason Week 1 2026 – BuffaloBills.com
- These Bills position battles could steal the show in preseason opener – Democrat & Chronicle
- Allen wouldn’t mind getting some preseason action – WGR 550
- Bills’ Allen to play Sat. in 1st game at new home – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- What Josh Allen said about playing in preseason, Connor McGovern’s absence & Bills’ deep pass game – newyorkupstate.com
- Josh Allen Talks Playing Time Ahead Of Saturday’s Preseason Game – BuffaloBills.com
- Shane Buechele, Kyle Allen look to get a leg up in Bills’ backup quarterback race -Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Jim Leonhard wants Bills’ starters on defense to ‘let it rip’ in preseason opener – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills observations: Defense has edge as Buffalo gears up for preseason Week 1 – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Where to watch Bills vs Panthers today, TV channel, streaming info – Democrat & Chronicle
- Where to watch, stream & listen | Bills vs. Panthers – BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills Injury Update Heading Into Preseason Week 1 vs. Panthers – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
DT Phidarian Mathis suspended for first 3 games
Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy after ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported that Mathis was suspended because of an alcohol-related incident in spring 2025. Mathis was a member of the New York Jets at the time.
- Bills DT Phidarian Mathis suspended for first three games of regular season – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Buffalo Bills defensive tackle firmly on roster bubble player suspended 3 games – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills D-lineman Mathis suspended 3 games by NFL – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Bills defensive tackle hit with three-game suspension – Democrat & Chronicle
Even more Bills news
The Bills are one of three teams to reportedly reach out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about acquiring defensive tackle Vita Vea (pictured below). Plus, we let fans know what they can expect if they’re going to the Week 1 preseason game vs. Carolina; explain why tight end Jackson Hawes will play an important role on offense this year; predict who will make Buffalo’s 53-man roster; and get to know safety Wande Owens!
- Buffalo Bills reportedly among teams pursuing Vita Vea from Tampa Bay Buccaneers – newyorkupstate.com
- What Bills fans can expect at Highmark Stadium for Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers – BuffaloBills.com
- After traffic snarls at new stadium, Sheriff’s Office hopes practice leads to improvement – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Why Jackson Hawes is one of the Bills’ most important players on offense in 2026 – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills 53-man roster projection: Who makes the cut as preseason begins? – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Bills sign S Wande Owens to one-year deal – BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills vs. Panthers: Let the depth evaluations begin for Buffalo – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills among 3 teams that have called Bucs about Vita Vea, per report – Buffalo Rumblings
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- This second-year safety is back with Bills before preseason opener – Buffalo Rumblings
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- Bills lose DT for 3 games in 2026 after violating NFL banned substance policy – Buffalo Rumblings
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