BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills' 2025 training camp runs from Wednesday to Aug. 7 at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, N.Y. The team will then continue training camp practices at the team facility in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Bills have the highest of expectations coming off quarterback Josh Allen's first MVP season, and the "Hard Knocks" cameras are ready to capture the action. A focus of the offseason was re-signing their own, keeping several key players for the long haul, including rewarding Allen with the most guaranteed money in NFL history. There are, however, new faces in all three phases that the team will be relying on to take that next step.
Here's a closer look at what we are watching at camp:
Is this the year the Bills attain that elusive Super Bowl victory?
For the first time since the 2020 season, the Bills were a game away from the Super Bowl in 2024 -- falling just short to the Kansas City Chiefs yet again in the AFC Championship. This season boasts familiar faces, from Allen and the starting offensive line to offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich in their second full seasons. However, new additions and early round draft picks will be crucial in achieving that goal.
Three players to watch
DE Joey Bosa. Question marks surround one of the team's biggest offseason additions due to a calf injury -- Bosa didnt participate in the majority of the offseason work. Getting on the field during camp and staying healthy will be key.
TE Dalton Kincaid. The tight end is going into his third year with significant expectations after injuries impacted his 2024 season. The Bills think highly of Kincaid and his continued development will only unlock more for this offense.
WR Keon Coleman. Similarly to Kincaid, the Bills are looking for Coleman to take a step forward. General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott made it clear they wanted more from Coleman after he returned from a right wrist injury last season. His continued progression and work with Allen will be something to monitor going into the season.
Key position battles
Cornerback No. 2. The job opposite Christian Benford is up for grabs after last year's starter Rasul Douglas was not re-signed this offseason. Instead, the position will likely be between returning 2017 first-round pick Tre'Davious White and this year's first-round pick, Maxwell Hairston, for the role. The team also re-signed 2020 seventh-round pick Dane Jackson, who could be valuable depth depending on how things progress.
Safety. Taylor Rapp is set to start for a second straight season. Last year, Damar Hamlin won the starting job opposite Rapp due to consistency and availabiility. Hamlin, after being re-signed this offseason, will still have to compete with Cole Bishop, who is entering his second season, for that starting role.
Staying healthy will be paramount for both as Bishop missed most of training camp last year with a shoulder injury, while Hamlin didn't participate in some of this year's offseason program. Bishop's continuing development will be key for this defense.
Backup quarterback. This appeared to be Mitch Trubisky's job to lose as it was firmly his last year, but the team brought in and then extended Mike White for 2025 and now both have the chance to earn the role. This is a battle worth monitoring between two experienced quarterbacks. While Allen hasn't missed a game since his rookie year, his backup is an important position. The team has historically kept one backup on the active roster.
Keep an eye on: James Cook's contract extension
It is no secret that Cook wants a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. The Bills extended three members of his draft class this offseason and while there have been conversations between the Bills and Cook's team, the issue has not yet been resolved. The running back fully participated in mandatory minicamp, and while he's expected to be at training camp, he left it vague if he would participate further without a new deal. Whether a deal is reached or if Cook ends up just playing on his current deal will be significant for both sides.
53-man roster projection
QB (2): Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
RB (3): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
FB (1): Reggie Gilliam
WR (6): Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore, Laviska Shenault Jr.
TE (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
OL (9): Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Ryan Van Demark
DL: (10): Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, AJ Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders
LB (5): Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen, Edefuan Ulofoshio
CB (7): Christian Benford, Tre'Davious White, Maxwell Hairston, Dane Jackson, Dorian Strong, Taron Johnson (nickel), Cam Lewis (nickel/DB)
S (4): Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock
Special teams (3): Tyler Bass, Brad Robbins, Reid Ferguson