Four things we learned from Bills minicamp
The left guard job is wide open, the reigning rushing champ is back in the building, and Buffalo has a summer plan. Here is what stood out from the Bills' mandatory minicamp.
The Bills wrapped mandatory minicamp with a few questions clarified and a couple still open. The biggest competition is along the offensive line, where the left guard spot is up for grabs. The reigning rushing champion is back after skipping the voluntary work, and Josh Allen already has a plan to keep his offense connected through the dead weeks of summer. Here are four things that stood out.
Who wins the left guard job?
The opening on the interior offensive line is the most interesting competition Buffalo is carrying into training camp. Free agent signing Austin Corbett, who came over from the Carolina Panthers, is battling returning backup Alec Anderson for the spot. Corbett has the early advantage out of minicamp. Both players have a background in similar blocking systems through new offensive line coach Pat Meyer, who previously worked under former Bills assistant Aaron Kromer. Head coach Joe Brady framed the evaluation simply: "It's important to see the technique and the communication."
Where does James Cook stand after his extension?
James Cook is back in the building after a productive and lucrative offseason. The running back signed a four-year extension and is coming off a 2025 season in which he won the NFL rushing title with 1,621 yards. He skipped the voluntary offseason program to spend time with his family in Miami but reported for mandatory minicamp. "I have kids that stay in Miami, so I just wanted to be around them," Cook said. He is open to a similar workload this season, though he wants to cut down on fumbles after putting six on the ground in 2025.
How is Buffalo staying connected this summer?
Josh Allen is not waiting on the calendar to get his offense back together. The quarterback plans to gather offensive players for extra throwing and training sessions in late June or July, during the stretch between minicamp and the start of training camp. The defense has its own version of that plan. Rookie T.J. Parker intends to train alongside veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb in Florida this summer. "Let's go ahead and get in that heat and let's work," Parker said of the arrangement.
Which injuries are worth tracking into camp?
A handful of recoveries will shape how the roster looks when camp opens. Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht is working back from a torn Achilles, and inside linebacker Dorian Williams, who missed the offseason program, is expected to be ready for camp. On offense, wide receiver Joshua Palmer is returning from the ankle injury that cut into his 2025 season in Week 6. Palmer said he is trending in the right direction: "I'm feeling a lot better. I'm starting to feel a lot more like myself." None of the three is a guaranteed concern for camp, but all are worth monitoring.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Four things we learned from Bills minicamp
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