Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills running back Frank Gore Jr. has never played a regular-season snap in the NFL, but you probably wouldn’t know it just by watching him this preseason.
After earning a practice-squad spot as an undrafted rookie in 2024, Gore is once again making a name for himself with an even stronger summer in 2025. He racked up 23 carries for 104 rushing yards, plus 11 receptions for 109 yards in preseason action. In doing so, Gore became the only player in the NFL this preseason to surpass 100 yards both rushing and receiving.
Despite his production, Gore faces an uphill climb to make Buffalo’s 53-man roster. James Cook is the lead back without question, Ty Johnson has proven value, and the hope for Ray Davis is that he continues his progression in his second year. The reality for Gore is that the Bills are unlikely to keep four running backs, leaving Gore on the roster bubble.
That’s where the anxiety for Bills Mafia comes in. Gore feels like the type of player you could see slipping through Buffalo’s fingers, only to get scooped up by another team. Every year, cutdown day leaves at least one player that fans hate to lose, and Gore’s name is trending nationally after his unique preseason stat line. If he’s waived, there’s no guarantee he makes it back to Buffalo on the practice squad.
This is where trust in general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott has to come in. They know the market, they know their roster, and they’ve built a reputation for threading the needle on tough cutdown decisions. Still, Gore’s performance has been strong enough to make even the most level-headed fans a little uneasy.
For now, Gore has done everything you could ask of him. He’s proven he belongs on an NFL field. The only question left: will it be in Buffalo’s roster, Buffalo’s practice squad… or someone else’s roster altogether?
