Buffalo Rumblinks, 8/27: Bills set their 53-man roster

When you have a team built to win a Super Bowl, the competition to earn a spot on the 53-man roster is going to be intense, and that was the case with the decisions facing general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott heading into the 2025 NFL season. By 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 26, the Bills and the other 31 NFL teams had to trim their rosters down to 53 active players, and, for the most part, the roster decisions were fairly straightforward this year.

Training camp and preseason

darling Tyrell Shavers earned one of six wide receiver spots, while eight of the team’s nine picks from the 2025 NFL Draft made the roster (only seventh-round WR Kaden Prather was cut). With the roster now set, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining which players made the roster and who was released by the team as the Bills cut 27 players on cut down day.

Reacting to Buffalo’s 53-man roster

Most Bills fans were hoping that Tyrell Shavers, who had two highlight-reel catches during the preseason and enjoyed a strong summer, would earn a spot on the active roster, and he did, as Beane and McDermott opted to keep six WRs — Shavers joins Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Curtis Samuel, and Elijah Moore.

Conversely, fan-favorite running back Frank Gore Jr., who led Buffalo in both rushing yards and receptions, was a cut casualty, as was linebacker and “Hard Knocks” star Jimmy Ciarlo, and veteran defensive back Dane Jackson, who endured a poor preseason with the Bills.

Linked below: Assessing the state of Buffalo’s active roster, breaking down the news that rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston will begin the year on the Injured Reserve, and a run through the biggest winners and losers from cut down day.

Bills now turn to practice squad for roster help

The Bills now turn their attention to filling the practice squad with a health mix of veterans and youngsters who could step up and contribute during the season. Veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is expected to return for his fourth stint with the Bills. We get the latest on who may be joining Phillips on the practice squad.

Even more Bills news

We see where reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen checks in on ESPN.com’s list of the best 100 players in the league; get to know versatile offensive lineman Alec Anderson; and see where Mitch Trubisky ranks among the best backup quarterbacks.