Buffalo Rumblings
Before the Buffalo Bills started their slate of preseason football on Saturday afternoon, I reminded myself of something very important. This is just the preseason — and there’s no need to overreact to the on-field product. This holds true for both players who look good, and bad, throughout these preseason games.
There were certainly plenty of positives that took place during the Bills’ 34-25 loss to the New York Giants on Saturday. Rookie defenders T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker both flashed at defensive tackle, showing that the newest Bills defenders could make an impact during the 2025 season. Tyrell Shavers and Laviska Shenault Jr. each made a case for Buffalo to keep six wide receivers (or more) thanks to their ability to contribute on offense and special teams. Joe Andreesen looked great, and Jordan Hancock flashed as a potential Day 3 draft steal for the Bills. But remember, it’s just the preseason.
On the flip side, there were certainly some areas of concern for Buffalo on Saturday afternoon. Running back James Cook warmed up, but didn’t play, as his hold-in continues. Safety Cole Bishop and wide receiver Curtis Samuel weren’t healthy enough to play, although they reportedly went through warm-ups prior to the game. Tight end Zach Davidson struggled with two drops, while it was a forgettable debut for third-round defensive end Landon Jackson. It was an uneven day for cornerback Tre’Davious White in his return to Buffalo, and the Bills looked awful against the screen. But remember, it’s just the preseason.
The one exception to any preseason pledge is anything related to injuries. In that situation it’s certainly understandable to overreact if a starter or key contributor gets hurt during a meaningless preseason game. Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson gave everyone a scare during the first quarter as he left the game with an apparent head injury. Thankfully Johnson passed testing for a concussion and cleared for return to the game (although he didn’t play another snap). I know some fans want to see their favorite players take the field during these games as the Bills get ready for the regular season. But remember, it’s just the preseason.
So while there was plenty of good, and bad, during Saturday’s game, I reminded myself often that it’s just the preseason. Were there things you found yourself overreacting to during Saturday’s game?
