One of the most exciting changes to the 2026 Buffalo Bills takes place on defense. Bringing in Jim Leonhard, head coach Joe Brady allowed the switch to a 3-4 formation. It's a massive move, and one that will likely define the Brady era in Buffalo. Training camp is closing in, and gives fans their first look at the new philosophy. Here's the first look at the roster filling it out.
Name | Weight | Height |
|---|---|---|
Bradley Chubb | 6-4 | 268 |
Greg Rousseau | 6-6 | 266 |
T.J. Parker | 6-3 | 263 |
Michael Hoecht | 6-4 | 264 |
Javon Solomon | 6-1 | 246 |
Landon Jackson | 6-6 | 264 |
Mike Danna | 6-2 | 261 |
Andre Jones Jr. | 6-5 | 258 |
In 2025, the Bills carried 5 defensive ends into the season. That was a different defense, with a different scheme. Through this series, we've stuck true to replicating the numbers on the old roster; That won't work here. The personnel for a 3-4 is different than the old 4-3, and they'll need an extra OLB.
The distinction between ILB and OLB in a 3-4 is critical, and this list covers only those regularly playing on the line of scrimmage.
Bradley Chubb
The premier free agent signing of the offseason, Bradley Chubb is the obvious top of the pecking order here. The most notorious player on the roster to have played significantly at OLB, he's the #1.
Chubb immediately becomes a tone-setter, and it starts in training camp. His role will be that of a standard OLB - He is not a coach. Still, there's merit at having an impactful and experienced vet who understands his role immediately. The roster benefits from his example as others pick up the role for the first time.
Greg Rousseau
Speaking of picking it up for the first time: Greg Rousseau. He's a solid, rangy player with elite athletic traits and the room to thrive with the move to OLB. That being said, there will be errors; Greg Rousseau hadn't even learned to play DE when he was drafted, let alone another new job.
Still, he's got the traits and will get the work early in training camp. Where Greg Rousseau wins is his length. He can take away a lot of ground, but has to back it up in practice to earn the nod.
Michael Hoecht
There's one huge question mark for the Bills personnel, and his name is Michael Hoecht. He was arguably the most impactful player on the 2025 defense for all 6 quarters he played. His suspension and then subsequent season-ending injury ended his season quickly.
He's also the most versatile defender in the front seven. If he enters training camp healthy enough to compete, he's going to win a roster spot and a significant role. If he's not ready, expect him to rotate in slowly, but still make the 53.
T.J. Parker
Before the draft, T.J. Parker was comped by Bleacher Report as a less-explosive Bradley Chubb. Fitting, then, that the Bills would target him with their top draft pick. They've got a type.
Parker will start training camp as no better than their #4 OLB, but he'll earn reps quickly. When the final 53-man roster is assembled, he will have worked his way into the top 3.
Landon Jackson
Unfortunately for the 2025 Bills, Landon Jackson failed to fit in, and then got hurt. Fortunately for him, second chances come in spades. He'll have one when training camp kicks off in earnest.
He's not shown fans much, but Landon Jackson might be a better fit for a 3-4 than he was for the 4-3 last season. He's athletic and extremely lengthy; If there's a role carved out for Greg Rousseau, Landon Jackson finds himself doing the same thing with less snaps.
Javon Solomon
In assembling the roster, the Bills still want a variety of players. Their new archetype is oversized and too rangy to play traditional DE- They have them in spades. Javon Solomon may not immediately beat out Mike Danna, but he does offer a different build. That versatility is something the Bills won't discount, and it gives him the spot as their #6 OLB. He will need to prove worthy of it in training camp, but there's certainly a fair chance.
Cut: Mike Danna, Andre Jones Jr.
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