Bills make free agency signing on offense fans might remember days after Buffalo wrapped up its mandatory minicamp
The Buffalo Bills have signed running back Ian Wheeler to the 90-man roster as general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Joe Brady shuffle the roster around ahead of training camp.
The Buffalo Bills are on break until late July when the team returns for the start of training camp, but that’s not stopping general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Joe Brady from finding new ways to upgrade the roster in the meantime.
And the Bills finally got in on the UFL action on Thursday with the signing of running back Ian Wheeler, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wheeler was a standout throughout the spring football season totaling six rushing touchdowns during the regular season and then capping off the season with a UFL Championship and Championship MVP honors with the Louisville Kings.
How Ian Wheeler can fit into the Buffalo Bills backfield heading into training camp
Wheeler got his NFL start with the Chicago Bears after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Howard in 2024. He was an immediate fan-favorite in Chicago after staring on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” during training camp.
His best moment actually came against the Bills in the 2024 preseason when he totaled 43 yards and two touchdowns on five carries against Buffalo’s defense. Wheeler was primed for a roster opportunity after that game, but unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chicago kept Wheeler on the team throughout his ACL recovery and gave him another opportunity last summer under new head coach Ben Johnson. However, the addition of rookie running back Kyle Monangai in 2025 limited Wheeler’s role. By the end of camp, the Bears released Wheeler during roster cuts and elected not to re-sign him to the practice squad.
Wheeler made the most of his opportunity in the UFL, however, showcasing his speed and efficiency averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. His go-ahead touchdown on Saturday in the UFL Championship Game was one of the biggest plays of the entire season.
In Buffalo, Wheeler has the talents to push for a roster spot and compete against Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. for a third spot in the backfield. The real difference-maker is going to be what he shows on special teams and his impact during the preseason.
A low-risk signing that at the very least can add another body to handle some carries over the next few months. At best, he can earn himself a role and position on the 53-man roster by the end of camp.