While there are plenty of overreactions going around about the Buffalo Bills' bad preseason week one performance to the Chicago Bears, it’s important to remember that it’s just that, preseason. Numerous things need to be improved upon, as head coach Sean McDermott said no matter what time of year it is the Buffalo Bills standard needs to be met, which it was not in that game. There were bright spots as well, however. No matter that it was just preseason, one of those bright spots was that of a Buffalo local, Joe Andreessen, achieving a lifelong dream.
The Lancaster New York alum, and lifelong Bills fan, got to suit up and play his first professional game for his favorite team in Orchard Park. How much did it mean to him to don the Bills red white and blue? He showed up to the stadium pregame wearing an early career Cornelius Bennet Jersey, showing homage to a now fellow Buffalo Bills linebacker.
Andreessen's High School Career
The 6’0 220lbs linebacker graduated from Lancaster High School in 2018. He played two seasons of varsity football for the Lancaster Legends, starting as their middle linebacker. Andreessen helped lead Lancaster to a Section VI Class AA Championship in his junior season, and a 12th-raked team in New York State (NYS). He would follow that up in his senior season, winning another championship and helping lead his team to a fifth overall ranked NYS team.
Andreessen posted a whopping 221 total tackles in his two years on varsity. In his senior season, he registered 5.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He also contributed on offense, scoring double-digit touchdowns. Andreessen was named an All-State Linebacker and a two-time All-Western New York Linebacker. The Erie County resident was a legend long before he made his Bills debut over the weekend.
From College to the Buffalo Bills
Following his successful high school career, Andreessen continued his football career at Bryant University, in Rhode Island. The Depew, New York native began playing right away, playing in 11 games as a true freshman. As a sophomore in 2019, he dealt with injuries, appearing in only four games. As a senior in 2021, he finished the season with 80 tackles in 11 starts, eight tackles for loss, and three interceptions, which led the NEC. He earned a First Team All-NEC selection. As a graduate and his final season with Bryant, he was named an AP All-American Second team. He finished that season with a school record 116 tackles and was in the top five nationally for tackles per game and tackles for loss per game. He notched 18.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and two blocked kicks.
Andreessen would finish his Bryant career with 256 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five interceptions, and 15 passes defended. As a graduate transfer, he returned home to play for the University of Buffalo in 2023. The now 6’1” 232lbs linebacker started all 12 games for the Bulls, accumulating 90 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups. He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but went undrafted.
The Bills invited the decorated collegiate linebacker and local high school hero to try out for the team during their May rookie minicamp. Andreessen impressed and was signed to the team's 90-man roster. Now, Andreessen is playing games for his beloved Buffalo Bills. Against the Bears in his first game, he recorded four total tackles on just 19 snaps. Andreessen has two more preseason games left to impress and make the team's 53-man roster to continue his Western New York Native legacy, and continue to be an inspiration to all the young Erie County football players who dream of suiting up for their beloved Buffalo Bills.