2026 Buffalo Bills Season Storylines
The Bills enter 2026 with a new stadium, new head coach, a new defense and a new defensive coordinator. What’s the same? Josh Allen, Super Bowl contending status and a crazy fan base as one of the NFL’s best. Let’s look at the Top 5 storylines heading into the season.
1. Jim Leonard’s new 3-4 defense.
Leonard comes from last year’s best league defense in Denver and will lead a defense much different than Sean McDermott’s. You will see tons of different looks and packages and disguises with guys on rotations in all three levels of the D. As of this writing, the Bills showed a lot of that in a preseason win over Carolina. Jordan Hancock has been a pleasant surprise as a corner and looks like he did during his Ohio State days. Deone Walker and Ed Oliver will be counted on up front with heavy loads. Many new faces in a new place will be counted on as well, including Bradley Chubb, who will be in an edge rusher position along with Bills staple Greg Rousseau. The bottom line? This team defense must improve on 3rd and long and getting off the field, tackling and penalties in big spots. The big one, however, is getting big stops when it matters most, January, which is what it always comes down to.
2. Joe Brady as head coach.
Brady ran camp a little different that McDermott. The culture and winning mindset was still there, of course, but Brady trusted his sports science people more, looked comfortable and loose and wanted the intensity to be there but also to conserve energy where it mattered most. What happens during the regular season when the pressure is really on? What if the Bills start 1-3 or go 6-6 in the first 12 like in 2023 when McDermott brought them back after the bye week and the Bills went 5-0 and advanced to the Divisional Round? It will be fascinating to see how Brady handles the room and all the adversity as Bills CEO. Oh, and he is calling plays still as offensive coordinator. It’s a lot to take on at once.
3. Allen to Moore connection.
D.J. Moore comes over from Chicago and is easily the best wide receiver in Buffalo for Josh Allen since Stefon Diggs. Hands, route running, speed, deep threat, durability, yards after the catch. He has it all and does it all and is a true #1 wideout. These two showcased during Training Camp and the preseason game against Carolina. As of this writing, they are ready for Week 1.
4. Dalton Kincaid. Health and productivity.
This is a huge year for the 4th year tight end out of Utah. Injuries have been the story. But he is so important to this team and offense. 6’3 and 250 pounds. Athletic. Dynamic. Can stretch the field and can extend plays for #17. He must stay healthy for Brady’s offense to reach another level this season. And some playoff clutch plays would be nice as well, instead of drops and a failure to get open. He has missed nine regular season games the last two seasons. He says he feels good and took a more disciplined approach to the offseason and has plenty of gas in the tank. Time will tell.
5. More home field?
Just saying new stadium for a storyline is too easy. Bills Mafia and media people like myself want to find out just what this stadium will do to the opponents as a real home field. Buffalo is a tough place to play. The team is good, the weather gets bad and the crowd is nuts. Now? Many fewer thousand seats, more corporate prices and other changes in terms of structure and feel. There is now natural grass. The sound system is crazy loud. Players love it. Fans seem to like it so far as well. But when it’s 20-17 in the 4th quarter and the defense is on the field, how does it impact opponents? Stay tuned.
Music & Events Calendar
Table Hopping is proudly powered by WordPress