With the Buffalo Bills concluding their mandatory minicamp, we’ve officially entered a rare quiet period for the Bills and the rest of the NFL, with approximately six weeks until the team returns for training camp beginning July 27.
With expectations once again high for the Bills, today’s edition of the daily links examines who could make Buffalo’s 53-man roster and which veterans could find themselves on the outside looking in when the season begins on September 12.
We also get the latest news and developments from Buffalo’s plans to build a new, open-air stadium in Orchard Park, catch up on wide receiver Cole Beasley’s comments that he would opt for retirement rather than adhering to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, and learn how Erie County is reversing course and allowing unvaccinated fans to attend home games this fall.
We break down All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen’s sentiments that he is willing to restructure any contract extension he signs to keep Buffalo competitive long term, ponder the role offensive lineman Cody Ford will play in 2021, discuss why the Bills are a good bet to eclipse 10.5 wins this regular season, learn how linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is doing his best to inspire children in his hometown, and more!
Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Billieve Podcast: Buffalo’s new stadium plans - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills opted for an open-air stadium in Orchard Park vs. moving downtown.
Erie County Executive: Buffalo Bills games to be opened to unvaccinated population - Buffalo Rumblings
Encouraging trends led the county to lift planned restrictions.
Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley not willing to follow COVID protocols, even if he’s forced to retire - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley has easily been the most outspoken player in the NFL regarding COVID-19 over the last month.
Bills’ Stadium plans won’t include major differences, per report - Buffalo Rumblings
Staying in Orchard Park? Sounds like it.
Play That Defined 2020 Tournament: Round Two—Home Games - Buffalo Rumblings
The tourney begins in earnest.
Play That Defined 2020 Tournament: Round Two—Away Games - Buffalo Rumblings
The tourney begins in earnest.
AFC East Roundup: Each team’s biggest offseason change - Buffalo Rumblings
What changes could have the most impact?
Report: Kyle Williams, John Butler to be inducted into Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame - Buffalo Rumblings
Two of the 12 inductees are from the Bills.
90 Buffalo Bills scouting reports in 90 days: defensive tackle Treyvon Hester - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo is Hester’s sixth stop since entering the NFL in 2017.
Code of Conduct: A (Mike) Rodak Moment - Buffalo Rumblings
There are obvious differences between college and professional programs. But aside from the normal discussion about the level of competition, Mike Rodak had an interesting view of two programs at the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of success and respect.
90 Buffalo Bills scouting reports in 90 days: offensive lineman Jordan Devey - Buffalo Rumblings
The big veteran played two snaps in 2020.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Predicting the 53-man roster
Inside the Bills: 53-man roster projection following minicamp | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Here is The Buffalo News’ 53-man roster projection following spring practices.
Latest news on Buffalo’s proposed new stadium
Report: Buffalo Bills to build new stadium - Democrat & Chronicle
Plans call for a new open-air stadium in Orchard Park.
Bills planning new outdoor stadium in Orchard Park | RochesterFirst
Stadium could be ready to go as soon as 2025.
Bills could play in Toronto while waiting for new stadium - WGR 550
With the team’s lease up in 2023, the Bills could play home games in Toronto or at Penn State University while their new stadium is being built.
Buffalo Bills want a new stadium and Yankees will help make it happen - nj.com
The Buffalo Bills want a new facility to replace the aging Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
Cole Beasley would choose retirement over COVID-19 vaccine
Buffalo Bills’ Cole Beasley would rather retire than get Covid-19 vaccine - CNN
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley, in a challenge to the National Football League’s new Covid-19 training camp and preseason protocols, tweeted that he’d rather retire than get a vaccine.
Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley would rather retire than get COVID vaccine - NFL.com
“Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley does not plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and insists he will not follow rules jointly adopted by the NFL and NFLPA requiring unvaccinated players to stay clear of people.”
Bills WR Cole Beasley’s latest comments on the vaccine show a willingness to disregard league protocols – The Athletic
Other players have expressed hesitancy about the vaccine or stated they won’t get it. But no other player has openly questioned the NFLPA. (Subscription required).
Josh Allen wants to ensure new deal helps Bills stay competitive
Bills’ Josh Allen willing to structure extension to help team stay competitive (report) - newyorkupstate.com
Josh Allen reportedly wants to make sure the Bills can stay competitive after he receives his new contract.
Expectations for Cody Ford
Bills Mailbag: Josh Allen for Aaron Rodgers – who says no? | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Questions about Aaron Rodgers, Cody Ford and running backs kick off this week’s mailbag.
COVID-19 vaccines no longer required for Bills home games
Bills fans won’t need Covid-19 shots to go to games at Highmark Stadium | Local News | buffalonews.com
“The gates at Highmark Stadium will be open to everyone after all, with or without Covid-19 shots,” writes Dale Anderson.
Erie County rescinds vaccination requirement for stadium - WGR 550
“Erie County is rescinding its controversial COVID-19 vaccine requirement to attend Buffalo Bills games or other events at Highmark Stadium.”—WBEN
Poloncarz: Erie County to rescind vaccine requirement for Buffalo Bills games, stadium events - WKBW
“Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted on Sunday that the county is rescinding its vaccine requirement for Buffalo Bills games and stadium events due to low COVID-19 case numbers,” writes Paul Ross.
Bills a good bet to eclipse 10.5 wins in 2021
2021 NFL win totals, odds, predictions, best bets: Dialed-in expert picks over 10.5 wins for Buffalo Bills - CBSSports.com
SportsLine's No. 1 NFL expert, R.J. White, reveals his 2021 NFL win total picks
Odds and ends
Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds inspires youth in hometown: ‘You could be the next one’ | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“When it comes to getting advice, not many youth football players were as fortunate as Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and brothers Trey and Terrell, who play for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” writes Drew Wilson.
RISE, Bills unite diverse high school football teams, empower leaders for racial equity - BuffaloBills.com
Harrison Phillips, Leslie Frazier and Legend Lorenzo Alexander connected with WNY athletes to discuss diversity.
Bills running back Antonio Williams forms special bond with NASCAR driver Joe Graf Jr. | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Williams, a lifelong auto racing fan, has partnered with Graf Jr. and his race team SS Green Light Racing.
Total Access | Making the case for the Bills to threaten the Chiefs in AFC - BuffaloBills.com
“The ‘NFL Total Access’ crew discuss the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC for the 2021 season. Find out what the crew thinks about the Bills chances to win the AFC.”
8 superlatives that describe the Bills 2021 offseason - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown breaks down his observations from the Bills’ spring campaign.