Buffalo Bills provide some clarity on 2026 plans with slew of roster moves just hours into the offseason
The Buffalo Bills are already looking onward to 2026.
The Buffalo Bills have been busy since the loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is retiring, the team fired head coach Sean McDermott, and Brandon Beane somehow got promoted as the team hunts for a new head coach.
It’s been a whirlwind of the past 72 hours, with plenty of emotions over the game and some controversial decisions, and over the departure of two cornerstones for the Buffalo Bills over the past several years. We almost forgot that there are other moves to be made.
Buffalo didn’t waste any time, signing several players to future and reserve contracts amid the McDermott chaos, with some fan favorites remaining with the organization for 2026 and hopefully beyond. These players won’t be the flashiest names, but having key depth across the board will go a long way toward easing fans’ minds after Buffalo’s injury-plagued season.
Buffalo Bills release list of reserve/future contracts after McDermott firing
HBO’s Hard Knocks fan-favorite and linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo signed a future/reserve contract, keeping him in Buffalo. He won over the fanbase during the hit TV docuseries with his work ethic and passion for the game. He spent nights inside the building, lived out of a hotel room, all to fulfill his dream of becoming an NFL player. He’ll be back with Buffalo next season, which should have fans excited. I know I am.
Outside of Ciarlo, perhaps the biggest name is running back Frank Gore Jr. The son of Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore got to see some playing time in the playoffs after running back Ty Johnson suffered an injury. He hasn’t played many games in the NFL, but he always shows up and shows out during the preseason. It seems like every year we have the same discussion about how Gore Jr. will be picked up by another team. Fortunately, Buffalo has him for 2026, for now.
The last big name is wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. With the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver, and, honestly, a No. 2 wide receiver, it was a carousel in that room with Hardman Jr. coming in and scoring a touchdown in the playoff loss to Denver. He arrived in Buffalo, played one game, and was placed on the injured reserve. We didn’t get to see him in action too much, but with the question marks surrounding the wide receiver room heading into 2026, he’s a good veteran to have signed to a reserve/future contract.
Defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote, offensive lineman Travis Clayton, defensive back Te’Cory Couch, cornerback M.J. Devonshire, wide receiver Stephen Gosnell, linebacker Keonta Jenkins, defensive end Andre Jones Jr., defensive tackle Zion Logue, and defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. round out the reserve/future contract recipients.
At a time when the franchise feels like it’s standing on shaky ground, these reserve/future signings are a reminder that the Bills aren’t starting from scratch. They may not grab headlines, but retaining familiar faces and reliable depth helps stabilize a roster that was stretched thin all season. As Buffalo searches for its next head coach and charts a new direction, these small but deliberate moves signal that some groundwork for 2026 is already underway, even amid the chaos.
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