With the Bills getting a week without football, the attention turns from Sunday survival to what comes next. Buffalo is through six games and already has 10 free agents scheduled to hit the market after this season, including nine unrestricted players per Spotrac. That kind of number forces some forward planning, even when the immediate job is still about Week 8 and beyond.
Three players in particular have already made a strong enough case to stay in Buffalo, whether that means an extension before free agency or a new deal before they get there.
Ty Johnson might not be the first name that pops into most people’s heads when they think about the Bills’ run game. Josh Allen and James Cook dominate that conversation, as they should.
But Johnson has carved out real value in this offense as the kind of back who can do a little bit of everything. He’s listed as the RB3, though at times he has functioned more like the RB2, and his impact shows up both as a receiver and as a steady, efficient runner.
Johnson has 155 receiving yards already this season, highlighted by a 40-yard catch down the sideline while the Bills were out west. He’s averaged 4.5 yards per rush for his career, and Buffalo already showed its faith in him by bringing him back on a two-year deal two years ago.
If he keeps producing like this, another extension should be on the table.
Dorian Williams is a different case, and maybe a tougher one to project, especially with rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr developing. Still, Williams has shown enough to keep himself in the conversation.
The Bills’ linebacker room hasn’t been especially strong this season, but Williams has remained a reliable run-stopper and a player who can bring real physicality. He also picked off his first career interception against the Raiders last week, a play that ended up helping Buffalo pull out a tight win.
Depending on how the defense finishes the season, his standing could change, but right now he belongs near the top of the re-sign list.
Alec Anderson may be the most straightforward of the bunch. When David Edwards left in free agency for the New Orleans Saints, the Bills had a hole to fill at left guard.
Anderson came back on a one-year deal, with competition waiting, and his familiarity with Joe Brady’s system gave him an edge over Corbett for the job. His pass protection still has room to grow, but his run blocking has been a major asset.
He plays with edge, drives defenders backward, and helps create the kind of lanes James Cook can thrive in. For a team that knows how important continuity up front can be, especially when it comes to keeping Josh Allen upright, extending Anderson beyond 2026 would make plenty of sense.
In Other News...
Josh Allen Just Got Dragged Into A Debate Bills Fans Will Hate
Josh Allens name has been pulled into another national quarterback debate, this time after Caleb Williams strong return against the New England Patriots gave pundits fresh ammo to gush over the Bears rookie. Williams looked sharp coming back from injury, posted a high passer rating and drew praise from Colin Cowherd, who made the case that the young quarterbacks ceiling is as high as anyone in the sport.
For Bills fans, the irritation is obvious because Allen keeps doing what he has done all season: steering Buffalo efficiently and staying in the thick of the MVP conversation. Even so, the comparison is the kind that tends to linger, especially when a national voice starts framing one rising passer against one of the leagues most established stars. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Rookies Are Starting To Force Tough Depth Chart Decisions
The first month of the regular season has given the Bills a clearer look at their 2026 rookie class, and the early returns have not been one-dimensional. Punter Tommy Doman has already carved out a meaningful role, Davison Igbinosun has become one of the more productive newcomers, and T.J. Parker has been easing into a bigger workload as Buffalo sorts out where each first-year player fits.
Those developments matter because the Bills are already starting to confront some real depth chart pressure, with a few rookies pushing past the usual developmental stage while others remain stuck behind established veterans or limited by injuries. Igbinosuns rise has been especially notable after a rocky start, and Parkers expanded opportunity gives Buffalo another decision to make as it balances immediate production against long-term roster planning. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Offense Looks Dangerous But Two Weak Spots Still Loom
Buffalos offense has spent the bye week looking every bit like a unit with real ceiling, and the big reason is the quarterback play. Josh Allen has been operating at an elite level, James Cook has emerged as one of the leagues top rushing threats, and the group around them has shown enough flashes to keep defenses honest. Keon Coleman is starting to provide some needed lift, Khalil Shakir has been steady, and Dalton Kincaid leads the tight end room in production even as that position has been uneven overall.
Still, the next stretch of the season will test how complete this offense really is. The concerns are easy to spot: the receiving group has not been consistent enough from week to week, the line has had its share of pass protection issues, and the backfield behind Cook has been barely tapped, leaving little margin if the workload or health picture changes. For a team sitting at 5-1, those are good problems to have, but they are also the kinds of details that tend to matter most once the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]