1 — QB Shane Buechele takes advantage of the spotlight
Buffalo's first two preseason games featured heavy doses of QBs Mitch Trubisky and Mike White as the two battle for the primary backup position. With the Bills' coaching staff having seen enough to form an evaluation at that position, head coach Sean McDermott turned to veteran Shane Buechele to handle all the quarterback snaps Saturday in Tampa.
"It was my first time ever playing a full game in the NFL," Buechele said. "It was a lot of fun, man."
Buechele, who is a candidate to be Buffalo's practice squad QB, delivered a razor-sharp performance, completing 25 of his 30 pass attempts for 278 yards and a touchdown. The 27-year-old QB looked like he was having fun and playing loose, particularly when plays broke down. Buechele made a number of plays with his feet to evade defenders and make throws outside the pocket; he also picked up 20 rushing yards, two of which resulted in first downs.
All in all, the Bills scored on five of their eight possessions with Buechele under center.
"I thought Shane had great command of the game," head coach Sean McDermott said. "We moved the ball down the field, scored points, controlled clock."
Buechele, who spent the first three years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined Buffalo's practice squad ahead of the 2023 season. Prior to the start of the 2024 season, Buechele was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury and missed the entirety of the season.
Now healthy, the former Texas Longhorn has been soaking up every chance he gets in practice and in preseason.
"Last season was tough from the aspect of not being able to put on pads, and just working my way back, God is good… I kept telling myself that every time I went out on the field tonight," he said.