While the Buffalo Bills are already focusing on the 2026 NFL regular season, head coach Joe Brady, general manager Brandon Beane, and other staff members are at the NFL combine seeking new talent. Before they left, the organization took care of some in-house talent that needed to be re-signed and kept on the Bills' roster.
These two players might not have the most recognizable names in the league, but they will be given larger roles in the upcoming season. They both have been signed to one-year deals.
Alec Anderson and Phidarian Mathis signed one-year deals
The team announced that they had signed swing offensive lineman Alec Anderson and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis to one-year contracts. Anderson was a big signing because he brings versatility and depth to a strong offensive line that may need some retooling this offseason.
At 6 feet, 5 inches, and 305 pounds, Anderson plays with a mean edge that gives positive vibes to the rest of the offensive line. Also, he is versatile enough to play tackle, guard, and center.
Should either David Edwards or Connor McGovern, or both, leave for free agency, Anderson can slide into either the guard or center position. His durability has been great, too, playing in all 17 games over the last two years, and with toughness.
As for Mathis, he was a former 2022 draft pick by the Washington Commanders, who has shown resilience by signing with the Bills' practice squad last September. Playing in six games last year and recording 13 tackles highlights his ongoing development, inspiring fans to see his potential for future growth.
Mathis achieved his chance for bigger role in 2026
With Jim Leonhard hired by the Bills as their new defensive coordinator, the newly signed Mathis should see a bigger role, with the hopes of playing in all 17 games for the first time as a Bill. The ultimate goal of winning the first Super Bowl can inspire fans to feel proud and motivated about the team's journey.
While the Bills didn't win the offseason with these two signings, this is how a team builds depth in a 17-game regular season, in hopes of winning its first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Buffalo will be stable with Anderson protecting quarterback Josh Allen. At the same time, Mathis takes care of Leonhard by giving him another big body in a year where the defensive front rotation will be critical in a 3-4 multiple defensive scheme.
Could 2026 be the year the Bills finally win the Super Bowl? Highlighting these under-the-radar depth signings can inspire fans to believe in the team's potential to reach that goal. Additionally, these two in-house players already understand the system, which can give fans confidence in the team's continuity and stability before any new outside addition learns the NFL's workings.
While it's only on paper, both Brady and Beane are doing a great job of recognizing they need to make necessary changes to prove this team will be the anti-Sean McDermott version they saw for nine seasons. It's called doing something different to expect a different result.