The Buffalo Bills held a joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Friday in Lake Forest, Illinois, as part of preparations for their upcoming preseason game. Head coach Sean McDermott emphasized the value of facing another team before roster cuts are finalized.
“It’s a good time and place for us to go against another opponent, especially on the road,” McDermott said. “And in doing so, we come together a little bit more as a team, hang out a little bit more over the course of the trip. And then we can also see where we’re at a little bit more as a team.”
McDermott noted that practicing against another squad offers insight into player evaluations ahead of decisions on the final 53-man roster. The Bills will play the Bears again Sunday night in their second preseason contest.
“I would just say we got to get through this practice, go back to the hotel, home away from home, and go through the injury report and then reset the table for the game on Sunday night,” McDermott shared.
Regarding quarterback Josh Allen’s playing status for Sunday’s game, McDermott had not yet made a decision but highlighted Allen’s ongoing development during camp.
“Just continue to sharpen where he’s at in his preseason journey,” McDermott said of what he wanted to see out of Allen on Friday. “…Josh has been in a good spot, it’s just his continual development this preseason with making sure he feels good about where he’s at and with his receivers in particular, I think that’s going to be big for him.”
On injuries, only five players missed Friday’s session: Khalil Shakir, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Maxwell Hairston and Cam Lewis. Several others were limited participants but are making progress toward full activity.
“Out from practice today will be (Khalil) Shakir, (Tylan) Grable, (Sedrick) Van Pran-Granger, Maxwell (Hairston) and Cam Lewis,” McDermott said.
“Limited for practice will be Tyler Bass, Curtis Samuel, Shaq Thompson, Daequan Hardy, Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, Larry Ogunjobi and Alec Anderson,” McDermott added. “So most of those guys when we say limited they’ll be individual only. A couple of those guys like the safeties will get a few reps.”
Bass continues recovery from a pelvis injury; McDermott expressed hope that Bass would return by the final preseason game.
“We’re trying to take it no pun intended but one step at a time where he is,” McDermott said. “Stationary and just kicking from a stationary position then getting one step then two steps and then into his approach. So we’re really just trying to be smart and make sure we don’t have a setback and get him into a rhythm with the goal of him kicking at Tampa.”
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel remains limited due to hamstring issues but is being evaluated for how he fits into this season’s offense.
“We need to see how he fits into our offense this year and availability is important as well as special teams,” McDermott shared. “So when you’re not wide receiver number one that’s true of everyone.”
During drills split across two fields at Halas Hall—one focused on receivers versus defensive backs—the Bills’ defensive line stood out throughout practice sessions. Players such as Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau contributed both in one-on-one matchups and team periods by generating pressure against Chicago’s offensive line.
The defense was also effective against run plays; DaQuan Jones along with linebackers Matt Milano and Dorian Williams recorded several tackles near or behind scrimmage. Milano additionally broke up passes during coverage assignments.
On offense Josh Allen worked efficiently behind an offensive line that kept pockets clean for much of practice while opening running lanes. He connected with Joshua Palmer (who caught an end zone touchdown), Elijah Moore (who had several strong gains after catches), Keon Coleman (multiple touchdowns including deep receptions), tight end Dalton Kincaid—and saw productive runs from James Cook near goal-line situations.
Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw touchdown passes including one high throw secured by rookie tight end Keleki Latu amid defenders; Trubisky also benefited from an opportunistic play by Frank Gore Jr., who converted an errant pass into points during two-minute drills.
Afterward Trubisky reflected on returning to Chicago where he played four seasons:
“Brought back a lot of good memories coming back here,” Trubisky shared. “So I felt like we had a really good joint practice today. Nice catching up with some old friends and it’s good to be back.”
Trubisky recalled his most successful year:
“Just felt like we couldn’t lose and we just had a really good team,” Trubisky said of lasting memories from that year. “It was one of the most fun years of football I had and always remember that and all my teammates that we had that year. It was a great run.”
He offered advice for Bears’ new quarterback Caleb Williams:
“I only had it for four years I wish I had it for longer to be honest,” Trubisky said. “Take it in enjoy the process All eyes are on you in this city but it’s really a privilege And there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that…It’s a lot of fun to be the franchise guy especially in a city like this.”
