The Bills reached their 53-man roster Tuesday with some designation juggling and some tough decisions, but here's what you need to know about Buffalo's initial 53-man roster before the 2025 season.

1 – Trubisky wins backup QB job

It felt like it was trending this way late in training camp, and when Shane Buechele started and played the entire preseason finale at Tampa Bay it served as indication that the coaching staff had seen all they wanted to see out of the competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Mike White.

Trubisky had a much better training camp this summer than last year, when he first returned to the Bills for a second go round. With a full year in the system in 2024, Trubisky demonstrated good decision making, rediscovered his mobility, had improved velocity on his throws, and made second reaction plays in the passing game.

His skill set is closer to that of Josh Allen than Mike White, so if God forbid, he has to enter a game due to injury, offensive coordinator Joe Brady wouldn't have to change as much of the plan with Trubisky in.

2 – Hairston and Grable to injured reserve

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston will begin his NFL career on injured reserve thanks to a knee sprain that cost him the entire preseason. It was hoped that he could return in time for the start of the regular season, but this designation gives indication that he was not going to be close. With that designation the first-round draft choice will miss the first four games before he's eligible to return.

The situation is much the same for second-year offensive tackle, Tylan Grable, who is still not out of concussion protocol. Fortunately, the Bills have other reserve tackles behind starters Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown in Ryan Van Demark and rookie Chase Lundt to provide capable depth at the position.

With both players designated to return, both will be eligible to return to the active roster in Week 5.

3 – Shavers finally sticks

After toiling on Buffalo's practice squad the last two seasons, WR Tyrell Shavers finally earned his way onto the Bills 53-man roster. Shavers demonstrated marked improvement in his releases off the line of scrimmage, which enabled him to get more consistent separation and more targets in the passing game.

The San Diego State product led the team in receiving yards in the preseason (123) as well as receiving average (20.5). He also had the longest play from scrimmage in the preseason, a 58-yard reception on a bomb from Trubisky.

While he was seemingly on his way to an active roster spot, Shavers likely cemented it with a pair of back-to-back plays in the preseason finale at Tampa Bay.

After making a leaping one-handed touchdown catch on a pass from Shane Buechele, Shavers ran 40 yards across the field while covering the ensuing kickoff and knocked the Bucs return man over the sideline near midfield preventing a possible return for a touchdown.

4 – Codrington to again serve as Bills primary returner

Last year as a rookie, Brandon Codrington was handed the returner job after the Bills acquired him via trade right before the 53-man roster was set. They had no other viable options.

This summer Codrington had competition, chiefly in the form of Laviska Shenault. Largely a kick returner, Shenault was unable to unseat Codrington, who capably handles both kickoff and punt returns, and was released.

Despite their preseason numbers being very comparable, the Bills chose to go with the second-year returner who averaged 11.6 yards per punt return and almost 28 yards on kick returns a season ago.

5 – Draft class makes the grade

Although Maxwell Hairston will begin the season on injured reserve, and seventh-round pick, WR Kaden Prather's season was over before it began with an IR designation before the 53-man roster was set, Buffalo's 2025 draft class fared well enough in the preseason to earn roster spots.

T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker showed the potential to be a menacing duo on the defensive interior. DE Landon Jackson made steady progress through the course of the preseason.

Offensive coaches are raving about TE Jackson Hawes blocking ability as he's expected to fill a more prominent third tight end role behind Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid.

And injuries allowed Jordan Hancock, Chase Lundt, and Dorian Strong to get a lot more reps in training camp and the preseason than they were likely in line for and all three advanced their games.

On a roster that was going to be tough to make, the 2025 draft class demonstrated they not only belong on the roster, but with a little more progress could be contributors as well.