The Buffalo Bills had their first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday as they prepare to open the season against the Houston Texans.
Here's what we learned as the regular season gets underway.
Emotions surrounding the first game of the year
With the regular season just days away, the emotions of another football season beginning are palpable in the Bills locker room.
Sunday will be head coach Joe Brady's first game at the helm in Buffalo, but if you ask the players, he's as confident as he was leading up to any other game in years prior.
"It's been no different than what it has been since he took over," QB Josh Allen said. "Getting the guys ready to go, that's his main priority. And he's extremely excited, just like he is when he was the offensive coordinator and the quarterbacks coach here. He's not approaching it any differently from that aspect."
Brady and his team can only control so much in the week leading up to the regular season. The head coach has made it clear he's not going to treat this game as anything out of the ordinary, focused on setting his guys up for success above anything else.
"Joe stresses that it's about us," WR Khalil Shakir said. "So for me, my mind is on us, and how we're going to roll in there, how we're going to communicate, how we're going to execute. And you know, at the end of the game, we'll see who's victorious."
Having veteran leaders throughout the roster to help support that mindset is huge for Brady. The 36-year-old is the youngest head coach in the league, relying on the experienced players on his roster to help set the tone for the season.
For OLB Bradley Chubb, he's headed into his ninth season at the NFL level, but his first in Western New York.
"It still feels the same before every first game," Chubb said. "I've always got those jitters, got those nerves, but also the confidence of the work I put in over the offseason. And it's just about going out there and doing my job. What I've been doing all camp, all career and just letting God's talent shine bright."
Fellow OLB Michael Hoecht is set to hit the field for the first time since midway through the 2025 season, in what will be just his third game with the Bills.
"I'm very excited, just to have the opportunity to be part of this because it's obviously been a long time," Hoecht said. "But you can't ride that wave. I'm trying to stay as consistent as I can be, treat it as every other game, and when the game's over, that's when you can say, 'All right, that was cool.'"
Houston presents a tough matchup to kick things off
Buffalo will be put to the test right out of the gate to start the new season, taking on a Texans team on the road who hasn't lost to the Bills at home since 2006. Last season, Houston featured one of the NFL's best defenses, making a run to the AFC Divisional Round.
Brady is aware of the high-caliber opponent on the docket, but is ready for the challenge.
"It's year one for us, and there's nothing that we're going into this year with the mindset of, 'Oh man, this is what's happened in the past year,'" Brady said. "A lot of these guys haven't even been here, so I don't think it's anything. We've just got to make sure we're locked into our details. It's going to be an incredible environment; it always is down there. Two good teams that were in the playoffs last year."
The 2025 matchup between the two teams finished 23-19 in favor of the Texans, with the team's dominant pass rush on full display. Houston finished with eight sacks in the win, creating havoc up front throughout the game.
Allen is excited for the team's chance to redeem itself this go-around, knowing that it won't be easy.
"Yeah, I mean, it's getting a chance to go play football against a really, really good team," Allen said. "A team that was obviously in the playoffs last year. We understand what their defense is and has been. They have a fantastic coach over there. Those guys are gonna be ready to play. They got after us last year; there's no secret about it."
As much as last year's loss still has some relevance, Buffalo isn't focused on the past. There's four new quarters of football to determine this year's outcome.
"There have been elements of all of last year that I've put into this season as far as how we build the offense, how we structure, not just for this game," Brady said. "Any time you go through success or when you have failure in a certain component, you have to learn from it… It's a great opportunity for all of us, but I hope all of us have learned from that and we know they are going to get everything and more from them as well."
Six captains are set to lead Buffalo into battle
Heading into the regular season, the Bills will have six leaders who wear the "C" on their chest this season. The team voted on captains, which were announced on Tuesday, with two players representing all sides of the ball.
Safety Sam Franklin Jr. earned one of the special teams spots.
"I called him on the way home," Brady said. "The same day he was being named captain [this year], a year ago he was just meeting his teammates, and that kind of speaks to the volume of who he is, how he plays."
Earning the respect of his teammates was huge for Franklin Jr. in his second season with the Bills.
"It was special, you know, hearing the guys cheer me on, Joe telling me," Franklin Jr. said. "It was just a very special moment for me. It just shows that the hard work that I've been putting in is getting noticed, and I've just got to keep it going."
Chubb earned one of the defensive honors for Buffalo, showcasing his leadership early and often throughout his first offseason with the team. Coming over from the Miami Dolphins, where he was a captain last season, Brady knew his ability to lead by example would be top-notch.
"He had to come here and meet new teammates and earn it and dive into those relationships, be able to get to know his teammates and lead off the field, lead in practice, all those things," Brady said. "Man, he's done all of that and more. I wasn't surprised by it, but it's what we expected of him."
Another first-time captain for the Bills came in the form of TE Dawson Knox. As one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, the 29-year-old being named a captain wasn't a surprise to many.
"Dawson has been a captain here regardless of whether he's had a 'C' on his chest," Brady said. "That's why it was so important to continue to have him as a member of the Buffalo Bills. A guy like him is a guy you want; if a coach isn't in the room, he's going to be able to set a standard and live the life you're expecting the guys to live."
Injury updates
These players did not practice today
- RB Ty Johnson (hamstring)
- DB Jordan Hancock (quad)
Check out the best photos from the Buffalo Bills practice at the Kaleida Health Performance Center in Orchard Park, NY.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
TJ Parker (99). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Helmet. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ja'Mori Maclin (84), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Shane Buechele (6), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Shane Buechele (6), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Generic. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Dortch (19), Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Gaines (97). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Trent Sherfield (18). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Generic. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kani Walker (41). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shaq Thompson (54). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Trent Sherfield (18). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Dortch (19). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Maxwell Hairston (1), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Dortch (19). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Practice, on September 09, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
