Last week, the Buffalo Bills hosted their first public event at Highmark Stadium with the annual Return of the Blue & Red practice. Later this afternoon, the Bills will play their first football game in their new stadium when Buffalo welcomes the Carolina Panthers to Western New York for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Week 1 of the preseason.
We know that Josh Allen “would love to play” in Buffalo’s preseason opener, and that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard expects his starters to “let it rip” against Carolina. But what else can Bills fans expect in the preseason opener for both teams?
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by previewing the key players to watch when Buffalo and Carolina square off this afternoon.
Check out the assessments and then be sure to let us know in the comments section what you will be watching for when the Bills play their preseason opener.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
What can Bills fans expect in Week 1 of preseason?
One of the biggest issues a team has to handle in the preseason is how much to play their starters, especially in the preseason opener. If Josh Allen gets his wish, he will start in Week 1 with the rest of Buffalo’s first-stringers in the first game action with Joe Brady as head coach.
“I would love to play,” Allen said after practice on Thursday. “I couldn’t tell you how long or how many drives or what’s the case there, but to get out there and get a good feeling and a good sense of the game and a good sense of the guys around me, I feel like that’s important to do.”
Brady echoed those sentiments, telling reporters before Thursday’s practice that he plans on playing all of his healthy starters for at least a little bit vs. the Panthers.
“Everybody that’s healthy is going to be playing out there on Saturday,” Brady said Thursday. “I want to see guys get hit, I want to see guys tackle, I want to see the finishing of the play and all of this. There’s so many variables with it. We obviously have a new everything, right, so it’s our first opportunity for us to come together and show an example of what the Buffalo Bills are about, too, so I think that’s important.”
We run through some of the positional battles and key players to watch in Week 1 of the preseason; see how the preseason will determine who claims the backup QB job between Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele; learn how defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard expects his starters to “let it rip” in the preseason opener; share how Bills fans can watch the game from home; and more!
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: Greg Rousseau #50 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers during the NFL 2025 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: Greg Rousseau #50 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers during the NFL 2025 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
DT Phidarian Mathis suspended for first 3 games
Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy after ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported that Mathis was suspended because of an alcohol-related incident in spring 2025. Mathis was a member of the New York Jets at the time.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 09: Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (72) reacts after a play between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills on November 9, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even more Bills news
The Bills are one of three teams to reportedly reach out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about acquiring defensive tackle Vita Vea (pictured below). Plus, we let fans know what they can expect if they’re going to the Week 1 preseason game vs. Carolina; explain why tight end Jackson Hawes will play an important role on offense this year; predict who will make Buffalo’s 53-man roster; and get to know safety Wande Owens!
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
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