The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Buffalo Bills' camp is taking place at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, and Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and, of course, the quarterbacks room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Bills camp. We will update this file often. How will the transition to Jim Leonhard's defense go? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
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Latest news from Bills camp
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Saturday, Aug. 1
Despite the injury suffered Saturday to projected starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Bills defense showed it can still come together in the face of adversity.
Inside linebacker Terrel Bernard made his camp debut Saturday in 11-on-11 drills, pairing with rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr. Linebacker Dorian Williams has not progressed yet to 11-on-11 work but was alongside Bernard in 7-on-7 drills. Elarms-Orr has seen opportunities with the absences, but Bernard getting more reps is a sign the unit is moving forward.
Rookie safety Jalon Kilgore remains further down the depth chart but continues to make plays, including an interception.
When it comes to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard putting his defense together, OLB Bradley Chubb noted one thing that stands out.
"The difference I've seen in him versus other DCs I've been with is, when we're installing, he's installing with the reason why we're installing. It's never just putting a play in just to put a play in," Chubb said. "Each play has a purpose, has a reason, and he tells exactly what he wants out of us in that play. And when you got a guy like that, it's easy to play for because you know where you stand."
More observations from the day:
Saturday featured the first sunny day of training camp practice and the longest session yet. The team huddled together before a final set of 11-on-11 drills to end the practice.
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer stretched to make a nice catch near the sideline, bringing in the ball midstride, on a pass from quarterback Josh Allen. Palmer ran the short distance remaining into the end zone and then punted the ball into the air in celebration. The receiver getting into a rhythm would be a positive for the Bills after Palmer dealt with injuries last season.
The running backs room -- James Cook III, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis -- has been noticeably more involved as pass catchers in practices, which is something to keep an eye on if that production increases this season.
The Bills had full attendance at practice.
Thursday, July 30
The budding relationship between quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver DJ Moore was on display once again during the second practice of training camp.
Moore, the team's biggest offseason acquisition, had highlight catches on both days of camp: a sideline diving grab during the first practice and a deep pass for a touchdown on Thursday. Moore is already getting No. 1 receiver-type treatment from Allen and the first-team offense. Moore described the first two days of camp with the 2024 MVP as "really good."
Allen has taken time during practice to talk with the veteran receiver and the pair have emphasized having communication in a variety of ways.
"[Before camp] he was in LA, I was moving houses and selling houses, so ... just getting out here early and just going back and forth like we are," Moore said about building on their relationship. "Constant communication on the field between the two days, and we're just [going to] keep building.
The quarterback also noted how not trying to be perfect has helped his rapport with Moore.
"I feel myself trying to be perfect when I'm throwing to him in some of the routes on air," Allen said after the first day of camp. "And [on Wednesday] I walked up to him and said I'm just going to throw it. I'm going to pick a spot and let it go. I'm not trying to aim it anymore. And I feel like once I said that things kind of clicked for us. And each day that goes by, we are going to get more comfortable with each other."
Other observations:
Running back James Cook III staged a hold-in before receiving his four-year contract extension during his last year's training camp. Two other running backs appear to be doing the same this year: Falcons' Bijan Robinson and Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs. When asked about other players following suit, Cook said, "Go for it. Get your money."
The biggest training camp position battle faced off during team drills as starting left guard prospects Austin Corbett and Alec Anderson split the work.
Rookie safety Jalon Kilgore stood out, breaking up a couple of passes during 11-on-11 drills.
Starting cornerback Christian Benford has taken on more of a leadership role going into this season. The fifth-year veteran hyped up defensive players in a huddle before they headed out for team drills. The last player off the field, Benford also made sure to sign a fan's Benford jersey after signing autographs on the other side of the field and talking with media.
Wednesday, July 29
As a rainy morning marked the beginning of Buffalo Bills training camp, new head coach Joe Brady noted the conditions to general manager Brandon Beane after the team's warmups.
"'This will be interesting. This is a good test,'" Beane recalled Brady saying. "... He goes, 'I'm curious -- someone slips and falls, someone drops a ball, someone fumbles the ball -- how they do the next play.'"
That very thought came to fruition quickly as third-year wide receiver Keon Coleman dropped a pass early in 7-on-7 drills. Quarterback Josh Allen, however, came back to him on the next play and Coleman made the catch downfield.
Beane said that he is very proud of where Coleman is, while Allen noted that he respects how hard the receiver is working.
Asked if he feels he has something to prove, Coleman said "somewhat yes." He added: "I'm on my third year and I haven't done anything I said I wanted to do when it come[s] to productionwise on the field, and I just want to contribute to more wins."
Other observations:
The Bills entered the first day of training camp on a healthy note. Only one player, WR Tyrell Shavers, is on the physically unable to perform list due to a torn ACL. The other player who did not participate to some extent is WR Jalen Virgil, who did not pass his physical Tuesday.
Inside linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams will gradually ramp up their participation to join team drills over the coming week. This continues to open the door for rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr to see more opportunities in team drills, as he did in the offseason due to injuries.
The hope is that outside linebacker Michael Hoecht is ready to play Week 1. He is coming off a season-ending torn right Achilles but is already taking part in some team reps. Beane said the Bills would like him to play a bit in the preseason to get the rust off.