Grading the Buffalo Bills’ 2026 offseason

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 20: Owner Terry Pegula and General Manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills walk to the field prior to a preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty I

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For the first time in nearly a decade, the Buffalo Bills have a (mostly) new leadership team guiding the on-field side of football operations. Gone is Sean McDermott, and in his place is Joe Brady, who will try to take Buffalo to heights never before reached — all while navigating

the seas of first-time head coaching.

At minimum, there’s a partial paradigm shift happening at One Bills Drive. While Brady deservedly occupies most of the team’s coaching headlines, its with first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard where the team may see the biggest changes on game day. Leonhard is implementing a base 3-4 defensive scheme, and one that intends to prioritize attacking opponents in a philosophy shift from McDermott’s zone-heavy, bend-but-don’t-break 4-3 base system.

To do all this mentioned above takes quite a bit of roster overhaul, the bulk of which falls on president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane. He deftly survived the axe that co-owner Terry Pegula swung following the dejected scene in the locker room after yet another heartbreaking playoff loss.

That move led outsiders to believe that (right or wrong) the change needed was at head coach, and that Beane remains the right person to help build the roster. With Beane’s experience guiding a new reporting group, let’s quickly run down the team’s roster moves to this point of June, from the additions/subtractions in free agency, to the newest members of the team via the 2026 NFL Draft, and those rookies brought in as undrafted free agents.

It may seem quiet out of Bills command central these days, but there’s plenty to sift through!

In the spirit of final exam season, after reviewing the list, be sure to weigh in with your grade for the Bills’ offseason via the poll embedded below.

Bills Reserve/Future signings

• QB Shane Buechele (one year, $1.15 million reserve/future deal)
• K Maddux Trujillo
• WR Jalen Virgil
• OL Nick Broeker
• RB Frank Gore Jr.
• WR Mecole Hardman, Jr.

Buffalo Bills unsigned UFAs

• DE Joey Bosa
• DE Shaq Lawson
• DE Matt Judon
• DE Andre Jones Jr.
• LB Matt Milano
• LB Shaq Thompson
• LB Baylon Spector
• DT DaQuan Jones
• DT Larry Ogunjobi
• DT Jordan Phillips
• CB Tre’Davious White
• CB M.J. Devenshire
• S Jordan Poyer
• WR Brandin Cooks
• WR Gabe Davis
• K Matt Prater