It doesn’t get talked about a lot across the league, but the secondary for the Buffalo Bills has been one of the better units in terms of defending the pass. However, the cornerback position has lacked solid depth and there have been times in Sean McDermott’s system where they have let the team down.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bills had a huge time need to get a cornerback and they spent the 30th overall pick on Maxwell Hairston, coming out of the University of Kentucky. Hairston ran a 4.28 at the combine and the Bills needed a speed corner who can stick with receivers down the field. However, Hairston is not a huge corner so people wondered if he could also provide a physicality factor to his game.
His rookie season wasn't a bad one, but he didn't play until Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers due to a knee injury that he sustained during training camp. He started the season on the IR, so he had to play catchup in the meantime.
Maxwell Hairston showed flashes in rookie season (but not consistently)
While Hairston managed to get two interceptions (including his first one against Patrick Mahomes), his coverage was inconsistent against receivers. Now granted, he was brought into a scheme that focused on zone coverage which best fits him, but he didn’t show consistency in his first season.
Now with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard, it is a new scheme for the defense and there have been questions on whether or not Hairston would be a fit for this defense. While the Bills still have Hairston, they did draft a rookie corner in Davison Igbinosun out of Ohio State and you could make the case that there is a CB2 competition.
Not only was Hairston given competition for a starting role, but Igbinsoun has been very impressive with his physicality and has caught attention of his coaches. That is already enough pressure on Hairston, and what doesn’t help him is when he has a tough day at practice like he did on Monday.
Fans should be concerned about Hairston after rough Monday practice
According to Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com, Hairston had pushed Joshua Palmer from behind on a route in which Palmer had beat Hairston on it, and Palmer was injured on the play with what was reported to be a wrist injury. Per Parrino, the route that Palmer had ran past Hairston “looked like it might go for a TD in 11-on-11”.
Parrino then reported that in the red zone during practice, Hairston gave up a touchdown to Mecole Hardman which is not a great look considering the fact that Hardman could very well be on the roster bubble.
Josh Palmer beat Max Hairston on a deep play that looked like it might go for a TD in 11-on-11 at Bills practice. Hairston pushed Palmer from behind (blatant DPI) & Palmer came up in pain, holding his wrist.
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) August 24, 2026
Got looked at by trainers and is back in. Josh Allen goes right back…
You may be thinking that it’s just one practice, and everyone is bound to have them. That is absolutely true. However, as a first-round pick with a lot to prove and knowing the pressure that he faces, having these kinds of performances is not something fans want to see.
Buffalo’s secondary went through a good amount of changes this offseason, but they still remain one of the league’s best. Hairston has a lot to prove in order to help this defense turn around for the better. Having this kind of practice with the season right around the corner isn't the best look.
Add us as a preferred source on Google