The Buffalo Bills most public problem that they had last season was their lack of wide receiver talent, which is a fair take for sure. However, anyone that watched the Bills on a consistent basis also knows that the run-defense was just as bad to watch, if not worse.
Giving up 136.2 yards per game on the ground was completely unacceptable, and it cost the Bills plenty of opportunities to win games last season. Even though they were in a 4-3 defense which gives them two true defensive tackles, they were embarrassed plenty of times. Now with a new scheme under Jim Leonhard, fans are hoping that that something changes for the better.
The good news is that in this past Saturday's preseason win over the Carolina Panthers, the defense looked fantastic against both the pass and the run, with Deone Walker being a huge star for fans to see.
Bills' run-defense shows signs of major improvement (but nothing is guaranteed)
With a 3-4 defense, there are pros and cons, especially since Leonhard is planning on taking more of an aggressive push against the offense. It’s a sign that things are bound to be much different under him than they were under Sean McDermott. However, Leonhard has been a star in the building since arriving, and he will soon get to show what he’s about as a play caller.
Leonhard already has a good idea on what this defense should be able to bring this season, but now the Bills are adding a new run-defender in defensive tackle, Greg Gaines, per Jeremy Fowler from ESPN.
Free agent defensive lineman Greg Gaines is signing with the Buffalo Bills, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 18, 2026
Seven-year vet spent the last three years with the Bucs. pic.twitter.com/yNJ8YJdHXA
Fowler also reported that in order to get Gaines on the roster, the Bills have also released another defensive tackle in Tommy Akingbesote. The Bills add a Super Bowl champion who has been an average-to-solid rotational player for both the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bills add veteran DT help with Greg Gaines signing
Gaines was drafted in 2019 in the 4th round by the Rams, spending four seasons with the organization before joining the Buccaneers in 2023. Through his seven year career, Gaines has 186 total tackles and 14.5 sacks. For a defensive tackle, that’s pretty solid, especially considering the fact that he was never a day-in and day-out full-time starter.
The signing of Gaines gives the Bills more veteran presence to pair with guys like Deone Walker, Ed Oliver, DeWayne Carter, and Zane Durant. Now he will need to earn a final roster spot with the Bills ahead of Week 1, but he doesn't have a lot of time.
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