5 Buffalo Bills Under the Most Pressure Entering the 2026 NFL Season

The Buffalo Bills are broadly under pressure.

That's inevitable when you're the winningest regular-season team of the 2020s but have yet to reach a Super Bowl during that stretch.

That said, some players face far more specific pressure than others entering 2026.

Here's a handful that stand out.

QB Josh Allen

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Josh Allen

The Pressure Point: The league's most valuable player since 2020 based on Pro Football Reference's AV metric is on a Hall of Fame track but has failed to get the Bills to the Super Bowl despite seven playoff appearances in a row. Now 30, Allen is facing considerable pressure to take that next step with this veteran team. 

Best-Case Scenario: He stays healthy and puts together a seventh consecutive season deserving of MVP consideration and finally gets the Bills over the finish line. A Super Bowl loss would hurt but still represent progress for a guy with plenty of gas left in the tank. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Any sort of regression in an offense that will have a fresh look with Joe Brady in the head-coaching role and Pete Carmichael joining the staff as offensive coordinator. 

Prediction: The addition of top receiver DJ Moore and a new perspective from Carmichael help Allen finally lead the Bills to (at least) an AFC title. 

WR DJ Moore

AP Photo/David Richard

DJ Moore

The Pressure Point: Moore will be expected to validate Buffalo's decision to surrender a second-round pick for a highly paid 29-year-old who saw many of his numbers decline during his last two seasons with the Bears. 

Best-Case Scenario: A new environment unlocks Moore and allows him to recapture the magic that powered four 1,100-plus-yard seasons in a five-year span between 2019 and 2023. As a result, Moore becomes the elite No. 1 boundary receiver Buffalo's offense needs. 

Worst-Case Scenario: There's a lack of chemistry between Allen and Moore in a new offense, and the eight-year veteran continues his regression. It becomes apparent his career peaked a few years ago. 

Prediction: He returns to the 1,000-yard club, and his talent and experience are crucial in big spots as the Bills make their Super Bowl run. 

G Alec Anderson

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Alec Anderson

The Pressure Point: The winner of a critical summer battle to replace departed veteran David Edwards, Anderson will be the only new piece on Buffalo's offensive line. He's an undrafted 26-year-old with very limited pro experience, yet he won the job over the well-established Austin Corbett. As a result, the leash might not be long. 

Best-Case Scenario: He uses his familiarity with Joe Brady's offense to become a reliable and consistent starter throughout the season. Perfection isn't required or expected, but it'd be nice if he could prevent the team from stressing about the left guard spot all season. 

Worst-Case Scenario: He isn't ready for the task of blocking for a $330 million quarterback in an offense that has little margin for error, and the Bills are forced to pivot to alternative options on the fly this fall. 

Prediction: The spotlight gets to him eventually, sparking a midseason debate on Anderson versus Corbett. The Bills rally behind Anderson and work with him to become a better player before the regular season is through, but it's another battle for a starting job in the 2027 offseason. 

LB Dorian Williams

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Dorian Williams

The Pressure Point: It appears to be a make-or-break contract year for a 25-year-old who has been more of a part-time player in his first three seasons but is expected to play a larger role as the team uses more 3-4 looks in Jim Leonhard's system. Shaq Thompson and Matt Milano are not on the 53-man roster but remain available if needed. 

Best-Case Scenario: The 2023 third-round pick takes advantage of a philosophical defensive shift and wins over the new coaching staff with a breakout year, leading to a considerable payday in the 2027 offseason. 

Worst-Case Scenario: He struggles in that heightened role and loses the starting spot, forcing the Bills to count on rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr and/or add back Thompson or Milano on the fly. 

Prediction: Williams continues to excel in the run game but has some slip-ups in coverage, eventually leading to more of a platoon role with Elarms-Orr. The team moves on next offseason. 

CB Maxwell Hairston

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Maxwell Hairston

The Pressure Point: With Tre'Davious White off the roster (for now), the expectation is that Hairston will make a leap in his sophomore campaign. The 2025 first-round pick had a bumpy rookie year thanks in part to injuries, and now he's trying to hold on to a starting job that could be up for grabs if he struggles and/or rookie second-round pick Davison Igbinosun continues to impress. 

Best-Case Scenario: Hairston makes steady progress in a healthy second season, and he and Christian Benford form an elite coverage duo by Thanksgiving.

Worst-Case Scenario: He once again proves unreliable over long stretches, causing the Bills to make changes in the secondary throughout the year. 

Prediction: The 23-year-old shows occasional growing pains against premier receivers, but establishes himself as an above-average starting corner by January.