Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills make their “Hard Knocks” debut on HBO Max tonight, giving Bills Mafia and NFL fans an unprecedented look behind the curtain of the inner workings within Buffalo’s summer home at St. John Fisher University. Led by quarterback Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills are intent to finally make good on their lofty Super Bowl aspirations as a perennial playoff contender this decade.
To do so, they’ll have to add to their franchise-record five consecutive AFC East titles. But they’ll have to endure road that’s even more difficult in January if they hope to finally take Buffalo back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 32 years.
After failing once again to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason, most outsiders are focused on learning what Buffalo’s front office has done to rectify key concerns on offense and defense. Many believe that the Bills should follow the Philadelphia Eagles model from 2024 on defense, though that’s easier said than done.
Will the “Hard Knocks” cameras give us a glimpse of Buffalo’s defensive line, where general manager Brandon Beane once again prioritized adding new talent? What role will edge rusher Joey Bosa play for the Bills, and can the defense find a way to counter losing defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for the first six games of the season?
In what seems like a troubling common refrain, the Bills are once again dealing with a troubling amount of injuries. It’s important to keep an eye on who’s getting the bulk of snaps at wide receiver, linebacker, and safety — three areas where injury has hit hardest. It’s likely to take a few episodes before unaware viewers learn that the team’s first-round draft pick from 2025, cornerback Maxwell Hairston is sidelined on a week-to-week basis while healing from an LCL sprain. The same is true of wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who joins Hairston in the week-to-week room thanks to a high ankle sprain.
Then there’s the elephant in the room — that of running back James Cook and his continued quest for a new contract. Though Cook has since “held-in” the team’s two latest practice sessions, “Hard Knocks” cameras were likely very focused on him in the early going as Cook took part in training camp.
While “Hark Knocks” is all about made-for-TV moments, the unscripted nature of the series should keep Bills fans sewn to their couches. Are you ready for some football? Here’s your open thread for tonight’s premiere of “Hard Knocks: Buffalo Bills.” Just how recently was tonight’s episode finished?
Also, Josh Allen discussing gravity in practice is just as great as the idea sounds:
