Bills quietly extend two overlooked contributors who could play massive roles in Josh Allen’s 2026 push for a Super Bowl
Joe Brady and Brandon Beane have been busy.
Bills quietly extend two overlooked contributors who could play massive roles in Josh Allen’s 2026 push for a Super Bowl
The Buffalo Bills aren’t wasting any time this offseason.
While they aren’t the splashiest of names, the team has brought on two key pieces on one-year deals that will play a much bigger role in 2026. The team announced that offensive lineman Alec Anderson and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis have been signed to one-year deals.
Anderson will play a pivotal role, especially considering all the question marks at the offensive line position. There’s a very real chance the team will need to move on from Connor McGovern, and Anderson is a proven quality depth piece in the league.
Alec Anderson and Phidarian Mathis are here to stay
He’s played in all 17 games for Buffalo over the past two seasons with no signs of slowing down. His one-year deal could wind up being one of the biggest bargains in the league, depending on how much he plays in 2026.
Then there’s Phidarian Mathis. Mathis was brought on to the team after being a second-round pick by the Washington Commanders during the 2022 NFL draft. He signed with Buffalo last September to the practice squad. During his lone season in Buffalo, he appeared in six games, recording 13 tackles.
Mathis has done enough to earn a one-year contract and will likely be a key rotational piece on the team’s defensive front once again in 2026.
Mathis had been really picking up his game, which made his healthy scratch against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round a bit of a head-scratcher. Larry Ogunjobi, in his replacement, had a crucial offside penalty that would’ve resulted in a fumble recovered by Buffalo.
Phidarian Mathis earned his opportunity for more snaps in 2026
Mathis should see an increased role under the new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard.
These aren’t the kind of signings that win the offseason headline cycle. They won’t send Bills Mafia into a frenzy or dominate debate shows.
But this is how smart teams build depth.
Alec Anderson provides Buffalo with stability in front of quarterback Josh Allen at a time when protection is everything, while Phidarian Mathis gives Jim Leonhard another versatile body up front in a season where the defensive line rotation will matter more than ever.
If the Bills are serious about getting over the hump in 2026, it won’t just be because of a flashy wide receiver addition or a blockbuster trade. It’ll be because of moves like this: quiet, calculated bets on players who already know the system and are ready for bigger roles.
Sometimes the difference between heartbreak and a Super Bowl run comes down to the guy most fans barely talk about.
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