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'No matter what, we are going to fight' | Bills players reflect after loss in Chicago

Aug 18, 2025 at 12:33 PM

Kay Racine

Seasonal Associate

The Bills' 38-0 preseason loss in Chicago wasn't the outcome head coach Sean McDermott envisioned going into the night, however, he looked at the result as an opportunity to see how the team can get better.

"We got to look at it, figure some things out, and evaluate some of the guys as well, and see where we stand. And we have a lot of work to get done this week as we move forward," shared McDermott.

The Bills quickly fell behind 7-0 on the opening drive of the game after QB Caleb Williams connected with WR Olamide Zaccheaus on a 36-yard touchdown. Buffalo's offense was unable to answer — in fact, the Bills punted on their first five drives of the game while the Bears scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions.

While this loss doesn't count toward the regular season, OL Ryan Van Demark was open about the solution he thought could help the team as Week 1 approaches.

"The only thing you can really do is go back, watch the film, understand what you messed up on, and don't let it happen again," Van Demark said.

The Bills had an impressive showing in Friday's joint practice, but that energy was missing Sunday night in Chicago.

Safety Cole Bishop suited up and played in the first quarter after coming back from a recent quad injury. Though the Bills defense didn't put their best performance on tape, Bishop stressed that the team has still been putting in work to improve.

"That's one thing the media doesn't see. Everyone's worried about what we're doing, and we're doing everything we can. We're doing extra walk-throughs with our coaches. The coaches know that we're spending time together in the offseason. We're here all summer, all winter. We're just trying to build that bond and continue to be ready when the time comes," shared Bishop.

Rookie DT Deone Walker had multiple quarterback pressures, including a pressure at the end of the first half that nearly turned into a fumble recovery for Buffalo. After his second game, the rookie believes he is continuing to adjust to the fast pace of the NFL.

"It's a lot faster," Walker said of the NFL. "Even in the SEC — I thought that was fast when I first got there. It's just a different level, learning formations, knowing what people do, learning how to talk on the defensive line, that's been a big one for me."

Having a loss like this in the preseason as a rookie taught him a lot about his team and what's expected when their backs are against the wall once the regular season hits.

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"I felt like it showed people's true colors. I'm glad to say, from the rookies to the vets they were still out there cheering, and cheering each other on, cheering me on, cheering our other rookies and other guys. It showed no matter what we are going to fight," Walker added.

Understanding how this game ended, McDermott explained how the Bills can get back on track going into the final game of the preseason.

"We've got to make sure we go back to the fundamentals of the game … I'm concerned about a lot of things coming off tonight, we got to look at the film and just see who we have, who can help us, what we may need, and then also things that we can just do better, execution-wise, fundamentally those things. So, there's a lot that needs to get cleaned," McDermott said.

Up next, the Bills head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.