Jim Leonhard wants Bills' starters on defense to 'let it rip' in preseason opener
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Buffalo Bills training camp is underway and the PlayAction podcast is back for a new season. Lance Lysowski and Katherine Fitzgerald fill us in about what's going on at camp and focus on the defense, where there are plenty of questions heading into the new season with a new head coach.
Finally, six-plus months since his hiring and two-plus weeks into training camp, Jim Leonhard will see how the Buffalo Bills' defense fares against an opponent.
Buffalo Bills practice
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady, left, talks with defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard during practice on Monday. The Bills expected to play their starters in the first preseason game against Carolina.
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Day Three of Buffalo Bills Training Camp
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard talks with Zion Logue (93) during an NFL football training camp practice in Pittsford, N.Y., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Welcome to the Buffalo Bills' new home: An inside look at Highmark Stadium
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Return of the Blue and Red
Fans watch the Return of the Blue & Red practice as the sun sets over Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.
Return of the Blue & Red
Tessa Andolina celebrates catching a signed ball thrown by Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) after the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans take in the sights of the Family Circle outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Buffalo Bills guard O'Cyrus Torrence waves to fans outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Warren Williams and Lee Mercado are amongst the first into the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans embrace as they get inside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Fans check out Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Fans take over Bills Mafia HQ for the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans walk the concourse of Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Justin Lee plays with 3-month-old Beckett Lee, who was born “close enough” to the day that Highmarl officially opened, outside Highmark Stadium before the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Fans take in Highmark Stadium before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Bills quarterback Josh Allen heads onto the field for the Return of the Blue and Red scrimmage Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Return of the Blue & Red
Fireworks go off after the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Ryan Fernandez, owner of Southern Junction, smokes Texas Twinkies outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Marlene Lopez, Madeline Cofield, Junius Cofield and Kamila Cofield stand for a photo in front of the Family Cicle bisons outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Cody and Ty Mullins play catch outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Michael Ohlweiler, left, and Ed Cassano grill outside Highmark Stadium before the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans walk around Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Monte Mulligan putts in a ball outside Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans react as they walk in the gates of Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans walk the concourse of Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans walk the concourse of Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Mark Coffed wears a old school Buffalo Bills helmet as he looks for his seat at Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans cheer at Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
A fan wears a chicken wing pendant and chain at Highmark Stadium during the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans clamor for autographs during the Return of the Blue and Red practice at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
The sun sets behind fans during the Return of the Blue and Red practice at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Tom Czerlau proposes to Kelli Burt outside Highmark Stadium before the Return of the Blue and Red practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. The couple met at a Bills game and now are engaged at the new stadium. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
A Buffalo Bills fan shows her colors before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Billy Buffalo heads in before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Mayla Semaia checks out Buffalo from a pair of binocular before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Matt Brass downs some pizza during the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (7) plays catch with a fan before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
James Ackley III plays catch with Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (7) before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
A Bills fan wears a championshop wrestling belt before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Damarian Stone shows off his muscles before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
J.J. Cherry smiles before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
A pair of Buffalo Bills fans cheer as they watch the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Buffalo Bills fans cheer as they watch the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Hector Lanzagorta looks on after the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Dave Bell and Jim Noll toss bags before the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
The crowd waits to go in Highmark Stadium for the first time in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Fans check out Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Fans check out Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Buffalo Bills fans cheer as they watch the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is interviewed after the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Fans watch the Return of the Blue and Red practice as the sun sets over Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
A fan watches the Return of the Blue and Red practice as the sun sets over Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue and Red
Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins (73) signs autographs during the Return of the Blue and Red practice at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Return of the Blue & Red
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady says bye to the media after the “Return of the Blue & Red" scrimmage at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Joed Viera/Buffalo News)