Full Breakdown
Bills’ Final Preseason Moves: Roster Cuts, New Signings and Fan Reaction
8/28/2026, 12:00:41 AM
Core Event – Final Preseason Roster Decisions
Ahead of the Thursday night preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills are finalizing a series of roster moves. The team announced the release of wide receiver Mac Dalena to create a spot for newly signed center Sincere Haynesworth, while also confirming that quarterback Josh Allen will sit out the game. Simultaneously, the Bills completed the signing of defensive tackle Greg Gaines after a suspension left a gap at nose-tackle. These actions occur as the league-mandated deadline to trim rosters to 53 players approaches on August 30 (scheduled).
Background & Context – Recent Needs and New Venue
The Bills entered the preseason with several positional holes. On offense, injuries to wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman have improved their health status, influencing the evaluation of veteran receivers such as Hardman and Sherfield. The final preseason game also marks the inaugural season at New Highmark Stadium, a $2.2 billion venue that seats 60,108 fans—fewer than the former stadium’s 71,608 capacity.
Data & Statistics – Fan Poll and Roster Numbers
- Greg Gaines signing: A Buffalo Rumblings Reacts poll showed 75 % of respondents approving the move. Grades: 21 % “A,” 54 % “B,” 21 % “C,” 1 % “D,” 3 % “F.”
- Wide-receiver roster: Heavy reported that the Bills are projected to keep six receivers—DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell and Mecole Hardman—leaving Trent Sherfield on the outside.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Joe Brady explained the necessity of playing starters in the preseason, noting, “The reality of it is you can't sit every starter. We gotta go out and play a football game.” He later clarified that “Josh will not be playing Thursday,” confirming Allen’s rest for the regular season.
Quarterback Josh Allen expressed skepticism about the play-calling role, replying, “We'll see. He talks a big game. He's promised me that the last few years, and it hasn't happened yet, so we'll see.” He also described himself as a “pretty balanced play-caller” if given the opportunity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The reality of it is you can't sit every starter. We gotta go out and play a football game,” — Joe Brady, head coach
- “Josh will not be playing Thursday,” — Joe Brady, head coach
- “I don’t know, he (Brady) talks a big game. He’s promised me that the last few years and it hasn’t happened yet. So, we’ll see.” — Allen
- “Hardman’s best path to the 53-man roster is as the primary punt returner, because his skill set on offense and how little they would use it really doesn’t justify keeping him,” — The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia
- “To keep a punt returner or not? That’s the question,” — Alaina Getzenberg
- “I don’t know, I’d like to think that I’m a pretty balanced play-caller,” — Josh Allen
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source provided a definitive list of which starters will play in the preseason finale, leaving the exact composition of the active roster for Thursday uncertain. Additionally, while the poll quantifies fan approval of the Gaines signing, it does not capture opinions on other recent moves such as the Dalena release.
