Bills Face Linebacker Questions Ahead of Camp

The Bills are only halfway through a ten‑part series examining the challenges they’ll face at training camp in St. John Fisher University. General manager Brandon Beane opted out of the 2026 NFL Draft’s opening round, then used the 35th overall pick on edge rusher T.J. Parker. Inside linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams now contend with limited experience and contract uncertainty.

Depth Chart Concerns Grow

Beane could have addressed the linebacker void in the second round by selecting Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Jake Golday, CJ Allen or Anthony Hill, all of whom were taken later. Instead the Bills waited until the fourth round to add Kaleb Earms‑Orr as competition for Bernard and Williams. The remaining four players—Joe Andreessen, Keonta Jenkins, and the duo of Demetrius Flannigan‑Fowles—combine for only 13 NFL starts, with Flannigan‑Fowles accounting for ten of them.

Williams has been an inconsistent backup, earning 22 starts only because of injuries to Matt Milano or Bernard. He is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, leaving the Bills with a thin core at the position. Andreessen and Flannigan‑Fowles have spent most of their six‑year careers on special teams, which adds to the roster’s limited depth.

Bernard’s New Defensive Role

After a difficult 2025 season, Bernard believes the 3‑4 base system under Jim Leonhard fits his skill set better than previous schemes. He envisions a more active role as a man‑to‑man cover linebacker and frequent blitzer, something he practiced often in 2023. Leonhard praised Bernard’s professionalism, communication and leadership during the offseason program.

Williams’ Injury and Potential Return

Williams missed a sizable chunk of OTAs with an undisclosed injury that left him on crutches. Leonhard sees a “huge impact” possible if Williams can settle quickly, but consistency remains the primary test. The coaching staff plans to throw many varied looks at him to sharpen communication and play‑by‑play decision making.

Possible Free Agent Moves

If camp reveals gaps, Beane could revisit veteran free agents such as Shaq Thompson, a former Bills linebacker who filled a key role after Bernard’s season‑ending injury last year. A reunion with Matt Milano seems less likely, given his performance dip in 2025, but the door is nominally open.

What It Means for Week 1

The Bills will enter the season with a thin linebacker group unless Bernard rebounds, Williams stabilizes, or Elarms‑Orr flashes the dual‑threat ability that turned heads at TCU. The combination of health, chemistry and the new defensive scheme will dictate whether the current depth is enough to survive early contests. A strong camp could mask the roster’s漏洞 (weakness) and keep the team competitive from the opener. Otherwise, another linebacker signing may become a pressing need before the first game.