Jim Leonhard Discusses The Matchup With Houston, Personality of Bills Defense, And More

Bills Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard addressed the media before practice on September 10th. Topics Include: Excitement for Week 1, how this first game compares to his first game as a player, he will be on the sideline on Sunday, looking for playing with speed and confidence on Sunday, chemistry between Bills Safeties Cj Gardner-Johnson and Cole Bishop, philosophy on corners rotating, comparing Linebackers, on defending Nico Collins, playing complementary football, what it means to be an "aggressive defensive play caller", the value John Fox and his experience, what he sees from C.J. Stroud, personalities on the Bills Defense, and on OLB Bradley Chubb being named captain.

Bills Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael addressed the media before practice on September 10th. Topics Include: the challenge of facing the Houston Texans Defense, on the guard competition and Alec Anderson earning the job, what he's learned about DC Jim Leonhard, having a plan for the Texans pass rush, what he sees from TE Dalton Kincaid, what he saw reviewing last year's Bills game in Houston, his excitement for the Josh Allen/DJ Moore connection, what he's seen from WR Skyler Bell, onboarding WR Greg Dortch, impressions of RB James Cook, and what he's seen from HC Joe Brady this week.

Bills tackle Spencer Brown addressed the media on September 9, 2026 before the Week 1 matchup in Houston. He discussed facing the Texans defense, what they learned from previous meetings, starting the season with a challenge, preparing this week in practice, the message from head coach Joe Brady, and watching his leadership in the preseason.

Bills OLB Bradley Chubb addressed the media on September 9, 2026 before the Week 1 matchup in Houston. He discussed being named a captain, how he learned the news, the defensive outlook under new DC Jim Leonhard, having a close group as a unit, and facing Texans RB David Montgomery.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media on September 9, 2026 before the Week 1 matchup in Houston. He discussed facing the Texans defense, Joe Brady's first game as head coach, Bradley Chubb's leadership in being named a captain, confidence in DJ Moore, keys to winning, Khalil Shakir at practice, and his faith in Spencer Brown.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media before practice on September 9th. Topics Include: injury update will come later in the day, what he learned from last year's game in Houston and their environment, the challenge of facing Texans CB Derek Stingley, the punt returner role, facing Houston's defense and pressure, the competitiveness of the Bills offensive tackles, his emotions ahead of his first regular season game as an NFL head coach, his message to the team this week, the process of selecting Bills captains and player reactions, and his confidence in WR DJ Moore.

Josh Allen addressed the media following practice on Tuesday September 1st. Topics include: his chemistry with D.J. Moore, the different skills of the four tight ends on the roster, and what he has learned going into his ninth season.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media before practice on September 1st, 2026. Topics Include: his experience building the 53-man roster for the first time as Head Coach and working alongside GM Brandon Beane, the versatility of the Tight End room, WR Skyler Bell's performance in the preseason, the wide receiver room and decision to keep five, what goes into deciding practice time, WR Greg Dortch previous work with Jeff Rodgers, time between now and season opener against the Houston Texans, goals for this week's practices, CB Christian Benford and how he has grown as a player and leader over the years, RB Frank Gore Jr. and philosophy of practice squad players, OLB TJ Parker benefiting from the veteran presence within the Linebackers, and what ILB Shaq Thompson brings to the team.

Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane addressed the media on September 1st, 2026. Topics Include: the Cornerback depth, philosophy for practice squad player selection, overall roster depth and development of younger players, the Bills punt returner job, on QB Josh Allen's mentality going into his 9th season, the trades and acquisitions made to the OLine, looking ahead to season opener against the Houston Texans, injury updates for: CJ Gardner-Johnson, DeWayne Carter, and Zane Durant, working with DC Jim Leonhard on roster decisions, and on players: WR DJ Moore, CB Maxwell Hairston, CB Davison Igbinosun, OLB Michael Hoecht, TE Keleki Latu, ILB Shaq Thompson, LB Kaleb Alarms-Orr, and WR Greg Dortch.

Joe Brady addressed the media after the 28-27 win vs the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday August 27th. Topics include: what he learned about his team, Shane Buechele playing the entire game, the benefit of having Josh Allen on the headsets during the game, Skyler Bell first game action in the NFL, his decision to play Maxwell Hairston, the game situations the team saw in preseason, Michael Hoecht playing in his first game action since his injury, and on the decision to name players captains.

Bills Quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media after practice on August 25th, 2026. Topics Include: calling plays in preseason games, getting reps with various wide receivers with guys missing from injuries, the progression of WR Skyler Bell, and benefits of playing on grass.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media before practice on August 25th, 2026. Topics Include: the possibility of starters playing on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Preseason Game 3, time between last preseason game and Week 1, what he has seen from QB Josh Allen and if he'll be playing on Thursday, reflecting on the end of his first training camp, sideline versus booth decision for coordinators, position competitions and expectations—Left Guard, Quarterback 2, and punt returner, upcoming roster cutdowns and how injuries affect decisions, the chemistry between S CJ Gardner-Johnson and S Cole Bishop, injury updates and status checks on ILB Terrel Bernard, OLB Michael Hoecht, and RB Ty Johnson, and on players: DL Greg Gaines, OLB Javon Solomon, and WR Skyler Bell.

Bills Safety Damar Hamlin addressed the media after practice on August 24th. Topics Include: putting himself in position to make plays like he did in Cleveland Saturday, the Bills defense improving on 3rd downs, adjusting to the new system, competing for a role, working in DC Jim Leonhard's scheme, his role on special teams with Jeff Rodgers, youth in the secondary, and pressures of roster cutdown.

Bills DB Jordan Hancock addressed the media after practice on August 24th. Topics Include: bouncing between safety and nickel, the differences between the two positions, working with DC Jim Leonhard to grow his game, his confidence right now, and reflecting on his rookie season and injury recovery.

Bills Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard addressed the media before practice on August 24th. Topics Include: what he took out of the joint practice with the Cleveland Browns, DB Jordan Hancock playing with confidence, player evaluations and factoring in players coming off injuries, the competition at Linebacker, his message to players ahead the final week of preseason and roster cutdown, depth and youth within the secondary, the Bills run defense, the perspective from the booth versus sideline, and on players: ILB Joe Andreessen, S Damar Hamlin, OLB Michael Hoecht, S Geno Stone, DB Te'Cory Couch, and OLB TJ Parker.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media on August 22, 2026 after the Bills 31-7 preseason win over the Browns. He shared his emotions on the tragic loss of Ed Oliver's son, the team's performance in the victory, dealing with the weather, the play of WRs Trent Sherfield & Ja'Mori Maclin, tackling, the kicking of Tyler Bass and what the team accomplished in the joint practice.

Bills Quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media after joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on August 20th, 2026. Topics Include: What the Bills accomplished in joint practice with the Browns, connection with TE Dalton Kincaid, pros and cons of joint practices, growth from his first year in the league to now, TE Jackson Hawes as a player and teammate, what he's seen from RB Ian Wheeler, chatting with Browns QB Deshaun Watson, energy from both offensive and defensive sides of the ball at joint practice, impressions of Browns Defense, how to cut down sacks, and decision making.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media before joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on August 20th, 2026. Topics Include: Goals for joint practice, benefits of joint practice for starters, on whether or not starters will play in preseason game 2, expectations for QB Josh Allen this season, accountability and discipline expectations of team during joint practice, addition of DL Greg Gaines, punt returner role, injury updates and RB Ty Johnson, the Fullback role and Ben VanSumeren, and how to challenge QB Josh Allen on a daily basis.

Bills Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard addressed the media before practice on practice on August 18th, 2026. Topics Include: CB Kani Walker, what he saw from the Bills defense in preseason game 1, being in the press box for preseason game 2 compared to being on the sidelines, what he is seeing from DL Landon Jackson—playing with confidence, physicality in practice, ILB Terrel Bernard being a student of the game and moving well, CB Max Hairston getting back and playing with the right tempo, DL Deone Walker flashing his ability in preseason game 1, depth at Outside Linebacker—one of the deepest positions for the Bills, plans for OLB Michael Hoecht, DB Jordan Hancock flashing in the preseason game—playing fast and violent, working on different combos, finding the right roles on defense, OLB Mike Danna producing and being a steady guy, and the DL Phidarian Mathis suspension as part of the evaluation.

Quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media after the 29-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Topics include; playing time in the preseason, having HC Joe Brady on the sideline, what he say in Wide Receiver DJ Moore, and on the sight lines in the stadium.

Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media after the 29-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Topics include; the operation in his first game as an NFL head coach, how well the defense played, DJ Moore's outstanding play, seeing Josh Allen playing in preseason, Deone Walker become a better player in year two, and the energy the team had throughout the game.

Quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media after practice on Thursday August 13th. Topics include: playing time in Saturday's game, the new environment of the new stadium, seeing his defense he has practiced against in action, the quarterback room, and stretching the ball down the field.

Bills Head Coach Joe Brady addressed the media before practice on August 13, 2026. Topics Include: on playing starters—everyone healthy will be playing on Saturday, plans for Saturday playtime/snap counts, players getting into routines, QB Josh Allen playing and as a competitor, WR DJ Moore's developing chemistry with Josh Allen, the added element Moore brings to the offense, updates on camp injuries, getting a feel for the new stadium at Return of Red and Blue, the environment of new Highmark Stadium, the various position competitions, Pete Carmichael will be up in the press box this week, what he is seeing from healthy WR Joshua Palmer, what he is seeing from ILB Keonta Jenkins, and what he wants to see from the team as practice translates to a game.

Bills tackle Spencer Brown addressed the media on August 11, 2026. He discussed the team's preparations on offense, what he's seen from the WRs & rookie Jude Bowry, his breakfast routine and OL coach Pat Meyer.

Bills WR Keon Coleman addressed the media on August 11, 2026. He discussed his mindset preparing for the season, team goals, what he's seen from fellow WRs including DJ Moore & Joshua Palmer, his connection with Josh Allen and relationship with head coach Joe Brady.