News and notes from Buffalo Bills practices before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Preseason Week 3:
Why the Bills are comfortable resting Josh Allen all preseason
For the first time in his NFL career, Bills quarterback Josh Allen won't take a snap in the preseason. Head coach Sean McDermott shared Thursday that Allen won't play in the team's preseason finale against the Buccaneers this weekend.
The eighth-year veteran has shown full command of the offense throughout training camp and during last week 's joint practice in Chicago to give the coaching staff total confidence in Allen being ready for Week 1.
"I also have a responsibility as well to protect him and in doing so, protect our team. I think he's on schedule, and he's looked good," McDermott said.
The decision to rest Allen for all three preseason games is a departure from previous schools of thought. Even as Allen has solidified himself as one of the game's elite QBs, the Bills have opted to play Allen in at least one preseason game each of the last three seasons.
This year, though, the QB has shown enough in practices that McDermott decided to alter his preseason philosophy this year.
"That's my job is to adjust as need be. You've got the reigning MVP, and I feel like he's shown to this point that he's in a good spot, he said.
Allen met with the media following Wednesday's practice where the QB shared he and the starters have gone through additional conditioning drills before the first two preseason games. The plan is to do that again in Tampa Bay.
"Just making sure that I'm as in control that is possible, and making sure I'm getting extra reps conditioning," Allen said.
As the Bills work through their final evaluations for the backup QB role, expect Saturday night to feature a heavy dose of Mike White, Mitch Trubisky and Shane Buechele.
While McDermott was forthright with his decision on Allen's status against the Bucs, he said he's still evaluating whether other starters on offense and defense will suit up.
"It's hard to say and make a blanket statement yes to everything or no to everything, but I think it's more on an individual basis who we feel like we need to still see, who has not been out there enough," he said.
'It's like having a choir ' | The Bills OL finding new ways to sing
One of the Buffalo Bills' main goals is to always protect their quarterbacks, especially reigning NFL MVP QB Josh Allen. To have all five of last year's starting offensive line returning in 2025 brings music to OT Dion Dawkins' ears.
"It's like having a choir and being able to sing or play the right instrument to sing the right song. That's what it means to have all the guys back," shared Dawkins.
After allowing the fewest sacks in the NFL last season, the Bills are returning these players: LT Dion Dawkins, LG David Edwards, C Connor McGovern, RG O'Cyrus Torrence and RT Spencer Brown. After rehabbing some injuries during training camp, Dawkins and Brown have returned to the field in full participation, while McGovern is not far behind, improving as camp wraps up. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has noticed that the return of those five guys gives him ease when play-calling.
"We have that continuity with our starting five (offensive linemen), like we know what they bring, both in the run game and the pass game," shared Brady.
The camaraderie has also been seen by Allen, and it shows how important this core group is to him.
"They just have that communication and camaraderie. It's in a line that's extremely close. They're a tight-knit group. And it's fun to be around them. They make being at work and being in the huddle very fun … they make my life so much easier," shared Allen.
Dawkins knows that having the same guys in the trenches has brought the quarterback room some type of comfort.
"I just think it's a comfortable feeling for a quarterback. When it comes down to it, football is all about protecting and affecting … and if the quarterback can get to the line comfortably, it's pretty cool," shared Dawkins.
OL Alec Anderson was used frequently in jumbo packages as a sixth offensive lineman last season. In addition to returning to that role this year, Anderson has also seen reps at center. Brady has been impressed by the third-year lineman and his ability to be flexible and play at different positions on the line.
"When he first got here, he was playing some outside at tackle and he's played at guard and now he's mastering the center position. It really shows his intelligence," Brady shared.
The Bills are looking to finalize the roster in the next week, and the offensive line room couldn't be more in sync.
"To be able to communicate in our own language is key … I think that's cool. We get to dumb down the game and use sounds instead of plays. It makes it easy," shared Dawkins.
