Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Josh Allen leads new-look offense (2024)

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will open training camp with veterans reporting Tuesday and the first practice held on Wednesday at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:

Biggest question: How will the new-look offense perform under Joe Brady in his first full year as offensive coordinator?

Trading Stefon Diggs -- who had over 150 targets in his four seasons with Buffalo -- inevitably comes with questions about where the majority of targets will now be focused and the impact that it has on quarterback Josh Allen. Brady's motto this offseason is "everyone eats," with the idea that if you do what you are supposed to do on the field, the ball will find its way to you.

Second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid is primed to take on more, while running back James Cook will be tasked with continuing to improve his drop and fumble issues. All eyes will be on the 33rd overall pick, wide receiver Keon Coleman. Brady, who took over the interim role from Ken Dorsey after Week 10 last year, made it clear that this is Allen's offense, and everything they will do revolves around him.

Training camp is a success if... Injuries can be kept to a minimum.

Shedding the injury issues that have plagued the team in recent seasons, and even more recently during the offseason program, will be paramount. Linebacker Matt Milano is continuing to make his way back from a season-ending leg injury, participating in individual drills during mandatory minicamp, but three members of the linebacker room missed minicamp due to injury. Several others, including wide receiver Khalil Shakir, watched multiple practices from the sideline, though general manager Brandon Beane said Shakir should be OK.

Injuries at linebacker hurt the Bills late in the playoffs last season, and three defensive starters, including Milano, spent significant time on injured reserve. This year's roster is projected to be younger than in recent years, and having as many players available for camp as this team develops is important. Of course, starting a season in the best health condition as possible doesn't hurt either.

The most compelling position battle: Safety

The wide receiver room will be one to watch in camp, but the other big transition for Buffalo is the notable missing starters at safety. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde previously held the title of the active safety duo with the most games started together (92) after playing in the Bills defensive backfield for the past seven years. Poyer is now with the Miami Dolphins, and Hyde, 33, is deciding if he is going to retire.

The biggest question in the battle is if rookie second-round pick Cole Bishop will show enough to earn a starting role. Free agent addition Mike Edwards dealt with a shoulder injury for much of the offseason program but worked his way back to individual drills. Taylor Rapp was re-signed this offseason and is a favorite to get a starting role. Cam Lewis, also a backup at nickel corner, could be a sleeper pick to compete for the position. Will Damar Hamlin once again earn a roster spot? This group bears watching all camp long.

The players with the most to prove: The defensive ends

The whole position group has something to prove this season. It starts with Greg Rousseau, who had his fifth-year option picked up in May. Rousseau put up a career-high eight sacks in 2022, and played well in 2023, but still has to show he can put up big numbers consistently and try to earn a long-term contract. 2020 second-round pick AJ Epenesa was re-signed this offseason, but there's an emphasis on seeing more consistency from him moving forward, "Bringing him back, it's a chance for him to continue to grow," coach Sean McDermott said.

The other significant question at the position is how Von Miller, 35, will perform after a 2023 season spent working his way back from a major right ACL injury suffered on Thanksgiving in 2022. He finished the 2023 season with zero sacks and a pass rush win rate of 15.2% in 12 games. Outside of the starters, there's a competition for the final spots across the defensive line.