The Buffalo Bills are less than two months out from their 2021 NFL training camp, and time is running out for Buffalo’s players to become fully vaccinated before the team’s practice sessions resume.
General manager Brandon Beane has previously stated he wants the team to meet the NFL’s vaccination threshold, which would allow Buffalo to return to normalcy concerning team meetings and game preparations. In today’s edition of the Bills daily links, we hear how Beane and head coach Sean McDermott’s sentiments could stand in contrast to those of the players, specifically quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and discuss whether there could be a rift forming over what Allen calls a “hot topic.”
We also offer up observations and analysis from Buffalo’s Organized Team Activities (OTAs), dive into the future of training camp at St. John Fisher College outside of Rochester, hear how the Bills are still awaiting more specific information from the state concerning attendance at home games this year, examine the skills of Lance Lenoir, the newest member of the wide receiver corps, learn more about the salary-cap ceiling for 2022, hear why Allen is confident he will be in Buffalo for a long time, and more!
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Additional Bills news from around the web
Getting vaccinated a hot-button topic for the Bills
Sean McDermott’s vaccine comments, Jacob Hollister’s quickness, more from Bills’ OTAs – The Athletic
“Here’s what else we heard and observed at the first open OTA practice of the spring.” (Subscription required).
Getting vaccinated remains a hot button topic for Josh Allen, and Bills - Democrat & Chronicle
“As the Buffalo Bills return to work, McDermott ‘concerned’ about the vaccination quandary,” writes Sal Maiorana.
McDermott focusing on eduction, awareness on vaccine - WGR 550
“As the NFL is reportedly considering relaxed restrictions for teams who reach an 85% threshold of players who receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Bills head coach Sean McDermott is doing his best to make sure all of his players have the right information as they hope to reach that mark,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Vic Carucci: Sean McDermott could face a big challenge keeping Bills unified | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Vic Carucci writes that he’s not going out on a limb when he says team unity is every bit as vital to success as an explosive offense or a smothering defense.
Bills coach Sean McDermott ‘concerned’ about impact of vaccine status - ESPN.com
With the season approaching, Bills coach Sean McDermott said he’s “concerned” about the topic of COVID-19 vaccinations and its impact on the locker room.
Observations from OTAs
5 observations from Bills OTAs practice (Week 1): Dane Jackson shines; Devin Singletary, Star Lotulelei absent - newyorkupstate.com
Bills had 70-plus players show up for first OTAs open to the media.
What we learned from Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds | OTAs Week 1 - BuffaloBills.com
Two young stars for the Bills addressed the team’s mindset as they begin spring workouts at One Bills Drive.
Will the Bills hold training camp at St. John Fisher?
Will the Bills return to St. John Fisher for training camp this year? - Democrat & Chronicle
What head coach Sean McDermott is saying about coming to Rochester for training camp.
Bills training camp to start July 27, but where? | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“We’re doing our due diligence to explore,” coach Sean McDermott said. “We wouldn’t be going about it the right way if we didn’t look into it.”
Bills lacking clarity on fan attendance for 2021
Kim Pegula: Bills ‘still don’t have a lot of clarity’ from state on attendance at Highmark Stadium | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“What we think is going to happen today might have to change a month from now, might have to change right at the beginning of the season,” Pegula said.
PSE, Erie County, state meet to talk about future of Highmark Stadium and KeyBank Center | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Representatives met Tuesday at Highmark Stadium to begin the process of planning discussions about the future of stadiums and arenas in WNY.
Buffalo brings in WR Lance Lenoir
Bills add receiver Lance Lenoir to roster | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Lenoir, 26, has played in seven career games with the Dallas Cowboys, primarily on special teams, and has not appeared in a game since 2018.”
Bills sign Lance Lenoir: 3 things to know about WR - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills added Lance Lenoir to their roster on Wednesday.
Bills sign wide receiver Lance Lenoir - BuffaloBills.com
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Odds and ends
Josh Allen expresses confidence about Bills extension - WGR 550
“Count Josh Allen among those who isn’t worried about the prospect of him staying in Buffalo,” writes Alex Reimer.
NFL salary cap may jump $25 million in 2022 - WGR 550
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a $208.2 million salary cap ceiling for 2022, which is a $25.7 million jump from this year’s $182.5 million cap.
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“As the calendar moves toward June, teams will look to continue shedding cap space and making roster moves that they may not have been able to complete earlier this spring,” writes John Healy.
Bills’ Stefon Diggs says he wants ‘five Super Bowl rings’ in interview with hometown magazine | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“I haven’t reached the mountain top yet. I always aim high. I want five Super Bowl rings,” Diggs said.