The Buffalo Bills will once again be in the spotlight in 2026. They should be contenders once again, if only because they have all-world QB Josh Allen in their employ. That enough is usually good for 10+ wins in an increasingly tough AFC.
That said, Bills fans who feel worried about the coming season may have good reason to feel that way. There are actually three things that should make just about any Bills fans nervous as the 2026 season approaches.
3 reasons Bills fans should be nervous about 2026
3.) Coaching changes don’t often yield first-year results
The Bills are facing down history with new coach Joe Brady at the helm. Though he has been with the Bills as offensive coordinator, Brady enters his first season as the man in charge. Historically, that means trouble for the Bills.
There have only been eight coaches in the history of the league to reach the Super Bowl in their first season. Those odds, combined with a brutal schedule and the crushing history this franchise has, combine to make a set up for a nightmare for fans.
2.) The defense is undergoing a major shift in philosophy
The defense has become known in recent years for falling apart when it matters most. It is the biggest reason the team moved on from coach Sean McDermott. While there may be eventual growth and positive change, the undertaking is a lot to ask.
Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is installing a totally new system even if a lot of the faces look the same. Even a regression to the mean would improve the run defense, but can they get a big stop when they have traditionally failed in the past?
1.) The schedule is a nightmare
The schedule itself is an absolute nightmare scenario. The Bills have eight games against 2025-26 playoff teams. Of the “non-playoff” teams on the schedule, the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs present formidable challenges.
The reality of the situation is that the Bills face a nearly full season gauntlet. The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders present clear “gimme” games that they have to win in order to give themselves room for error. They are good enough to win 11-12 games but the schedule is so tough that missing the playoffs doesn’t feel impossible.
A tall task ahead
Between these three reasons and concerns about the training staff, it feels like the deck is stacked against the Bills in 2026. Much of the last few contending teams is back and the hope is that the new coaching staff can finally get them over the hump.
If the Bills are going to do that, they will do it in the face of one of the most grueling schedules out there. The only upside is that things get easier in the final few weeks, potentially allowing them to peak at the right time heading into the playoffs.
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