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Top 3 things to know from the Return of the Blue & Red practice

Aug 01, 2025 at 10:42 PM

Buffalo Bills Return of the Blue & Red, August 01, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

The Bills took a break from Rochester for the Return of the Blue & Red practice at Highmark Stadium on Friday evening. Bills fans didn't disappoint as a record-setting 39,224 showed up to support their favorite team.

Here are the top three things to know from the eighth training camp practice.

1. What we saw from practice

Bills QB Josh Allen wowed the crowd with his electric red helmet entrance and made the most of his short practice stint. Allen went through individual drills and one 7 on 7 series before trading a helmet for a Bills cap, earning some much-deserved rest.

That paved the way for extended reps for backup QBs Mitch Trubisky, Mike White and Shane Buechele.

Trubisky started the first series of the 11 on 11 period, connecting with TE Dalton Kincaid for 15 yards and TE Jackson Hawes for 20 yards on a play-action pass. Buffalo's defense adjusted and had two back-to-back strong plays. DE Javon Solomon had a power rush move that turned into a sack and the next play he blew up a run play with LB Keonta Jenkins for a loss.

In came White on the next series who connected with WR Elijah Moore on a screen pass where Moore used his speed to navigate through defenders and pick up a gain of 20 yards.

As the two QBs rotated series, along with Buechele getting mixed in, the Bills defensive line continued to generate pressure. DT Ed Oliver and DE Greg Rousseau each had pressures, with Oliver's pressure occurring in the end zone.

Later in practice, WR Keon Coleman brought the fans to their feet with two incredible catches on 50-50 balls down the sideline from Trubisky. Coleman went up and over CB Dane Jackson on the first target for a gain of 40 yards. Immediately after, Trubisky went back to the second-year wideout on a go ball and Coleman made another leaping grab, evaded his defender and ran into the end zone for a 40-yard score.

As the team moved toward the red zone near the end of the practice, Trubisky threw touchdowns to Kincaid and Hawes. Kincaid made a difficult catch as he toe-tapped for the score.

Additional practice notes

The Bills RBs had a solid showing all around. James Cook, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson ripped off multiple big runs; Cook scored a touchdown during goal line situations.
WR Kristian Wilkerson continued his strong camp with a 30-yard reception down the sideline from Buechele.
Ray Davis came in as Buffalo's emergency kicker with the team deciding to rest Tyler Bass as he comes back from a pelvic injury. Davis connected on two of three field goals from extra point range.
DE Joey Bosa, LB Matt Milano and CB Tre'Davious White all had veteran rest days.

2. Why DE Javon Solomon is feeling comfortable in Year 2

Second-year defensive end Javon Solomon is feeling lighter this training camp. The defensive end is getting the hang of Buffalo's playbook, which is helping his confidence grow.

"Just the ability to be comfortable in your own skin and your own abilities," Solomon said of the difference in his sophomore season. "Going out there performing and knowing that if I mess up, I'm going to get coached up. If I make a great play, I'm going to get coached up."

The coaching has helped Solomon flash during training camp. The DE has showcased his get off, ability to pressure the quarterback and run-stuffing ability on multiple occasions. Solomon credits this play to a better understanding of the defense.

"My second year feels like a night and day difference (from the first)," Solomon shared. "Being able to understand the scheme, the playbook, your teammates, being able to play off each other, it's a different feeling. Now the pressure is relinquished a little bit, and I can put focus into other things."

The Troy product, who had 16 sacks in 2023, is focusing on production in his second season. While finishing plays so they turn into sacks is important, Solomon is keying in on how he starts.

"The biggest thing for me is preaching how I start," Solomon said of turning pressures into sacks. "Reading my tackles, reading the shot clock, being dialed into the situation to feel it out. And then when you get a chance, you have to be able to have certain moves."

Solomon finished his rookie season with two sacks, six quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. The DE is keeping this year's preseason goals simple.

"If I'm better than I was the day before, that's the biggest thing for me," Solomon shared. "I constantly wake up with that mentality."