Q and A with Ryan Talbot
Q and A with NY Upstate/Shout Buffalo Football Podcast host Ryan Talbot previewing Buffalo Bills Training Camp
ML: Biggest Training Camp storyline?
RT: That’s a great question. There aren’t a lot of jobs up for grabs. You could point to the left guard battle following David Edwards’ exit in free agency. Buffalo’s offensive line has been a strength for many years and will return four starters, but who wins that battle is intriguing.
Outside of roster battles, I’d say the biggest storyline would be how things operate under Joe Brady at St. John Fisher University. We came to know what Sean McDermott would be doing on a day-to-day basis, but things could look a lot different with Brady at the helm.
ML: This defense is completely different. What’s the upside and downside of a completely new unit with a new defensive coordinator?
RT: The downside will be the growing pains. Jim Leonhard is installing a new defense, and that’s going to be a lot of information to take in. Leonhard doesn’t have his ideal personnel so how he modifies things to work with the strength of the players will be fascinating.
The upside is what I expect to be an aggressive unit. That is one thing this unit lacked under Sean McDermott and it ultimately would cost them in the playoffs every year. Bend but don’t break works in-season, but against the best of the best you saw how that approach worked in the postseason.
ML: I would like to see more of a running back screen game in the offense. Thoughts?
RT: I think you are going to get your wish. Not only screens, but a lot more targets to the backs. Pete Carmichael came over to be Joe Brady’s offensive coordinator this offseason. Brady is still running the show on offense, but Carmichael will influence the game plan on a week-to-week basis and his offenses with Sean Payton have always done a great job of utilizing running backs as pass catchers.
ML: How much pressure is really on Joe Brady as head coach in 2026?
RT: A lot, honestly. Sean McDermott took this team to the playoffs year after year but ultimately fell short. Promoting Brady says that the team feels he can be the one to get the team over the hump and into the Super Bowl. Anything less than that is ultimately a failure so the pressure looms large.
ML: People say this is a more relaxed Josh Allen to go with his ultra competitive nature and dedication. Do you agree?
RT: Ask me this one again after training camp or perhaps after the season. I’m sure he will be more relaxed in many ways now since turning 30. He’s a veteran in every sense of the word. That said, I still think you’re going to see a fired up Allen at camp and on game days. That will sometimes lead to a not so relaxed version of himself that sometimes needs time to settle into games.
ML: New stadium this year. What do you like/not like?
RT: I like how it feels like Christmas Eve for a lot of the Bills Mafia. They are chomping at the bit to get into the new stadium, as you can see by some of the ticket prices on the secondary market. Whether it’s the regular season, preseason or even the scrimmage later this summer, the anticipation of getting into the new home of the Bills is exciting.
There’s not much to dislike, but I did read my fair share of stories of how some season ticket holders were priced out of the new stadium. That is unfortunate as I know attending games for some of these fans had been an ongoing tradition for many years.
ML: Thanks Ryan, keep crushing the coverage.
RT: Always enjoy chatting with you, Mike!
