The Buffalo Bills will host the Carolina Panthers tomorrow at 1:00 pm in their first preseason game at their new Highmark Stadium. It will provide an opportunity for many of the new coaching staff to get their first taste of calling plays in real, live game action and to evaluate how the players perform in a game-day setting.
With it being their first preseason game, it will also give Joe Brady a chance to showcase his direction and leadership as head coach. As for the players entering the field for the first time this season against the Panthers, there will be a few important elements to watch out for before the contest.
3 vital components to look out for before preseason opener
1.) WR room
While the Bills have made the wide receiver room a priority every year, this year's candidates may be more important than in the past nine years of Sean McDermott's tenure as head coach. Keon Coleman is in "sink or swim" mode in his third year in the league, and Joshua Palmer, in his second year after injuries, has had a less-than-inspiring 2025.
With Coleman bringing a first-round talent drafted 33rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, can he make his case to be the third option in the 2026 Bills wide receiver room?
2.) All defensive starters will play
As noted by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, the starters will all play against the Panthers, but it has yet to be determined by game time how long they will be on the field together.
Leonhard should definitely have his eyes focused on the starting linebacker room, composed of rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr, fifth-year pro Terrel Bernard, and fourth-year pro Dorian Williams.
While both Bernard and Williams were sidelined early in training camp due to injuries, it was the rookie Elarms-Orr who earned most of the 11-on-11 reps. Recently, at the Red and Blue scrimmage, Elarms-Orr's 4.47 speed at 6-foot-2, 234 pounds broke up a catch from the 5-foot 11, 190-pound running back James Cook.
Since then, Williams and Bernard have returned, and all three have earned their time with the starters in 11-on-11 drills. It should be a great battle to the end, and whoever seizes the day tomorrow will be one step closer to winning the day on Sept. 13 as the Week 1 starter.
3.) Battle to watch-backup QBs
In years past, determining Josh Allen's understudy wasn't as crucial as it will be this season. With Mitch Trubisky now on the Tennessee Titans, the Bills signed former Bills backup and Carolina Panthers backup Kyle Allen to compete with returning candidate Shane Buchele for the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.
Kyle was expected to win the job out of camp, but he really struggled during the sessions and needs to redeem himself tomorrow against the Panthers. On the other hand, Buchele has really taken this battle to heart, and if he outperforms Kyle in the game, just as he did in camp, he may win the No. 2 job, and Kyle may be out the door once again in Orchard Park.
Buchele really deserves to finally be the No. 2 quarterback, as he has been overlooked his whole career. He has really taken command of the offense and has shown more poise in the pocket than he ever has in years past.
His physical tools, competitive edge, and poise remind some fans of Baker Mayfield, whom the Browns drafted. At only 6 feet, 210 pounds, he makes up for it with a competitive drive similar to Mayfield's, and he will play in any role to help the team win.
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