Joe Andreessen made the Buffalo Bills as a camp tryout in 2024, and he now faces a fight to remain on the roster.
Buffalo has three inside linebacker positions locked up, leaving Andreessen and Keonta Jenkins competing for another place in the group.
What Buffalo’s Linebacker Room Looks Like
Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams and rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr are penciled in at inside linebacker heading into roster decisions.
Andreessen and Jenkins are battling for the fourth spot, and Jenkins has been a standout throughout camp, according to SI’s Randy Gurzi.
Andreessen has recorded 61 tackles in 30 games over the past two seasons.
The local product earned the Buffalo Joe nickname after making the 53-man roster as a camp tryout in 2024, but that background does not guarantee a place as Buffalo finalizes its roster.
Why the Decision Matters
Andreessen’s rise from camp tryout to the active roster gives the competition added significance, while Jenkins’ camp performance has created pressure for the available spot.
The choice could also depend on how many inside linebackers Buffalo elects to keep.
The Bills wrapped up their time at St. John Fisher University and returned to Orchard Park to finish training camp.
Buffalo’s preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers took place August 15 as the coaching staff continues evaluating players for the initial 53-man roster.
A Path to a Roster Spot
Buffalo could keep five inside linebackers rather than four.
That would create an additional path for Andreessen, while a four-player group would leave the competition between him and Jenkins especially important.
With Jenkins standing out in camp, Andreessen has ground to cover as Buffalo prepares for its exhibition schedule and works toward its initial roster decisions.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg released a full roster projection Monday that leaves Andreessen off a four-man group of Bernard, Williams, Elarms-Orr and Jenkins, though she called the decision “a coin flip” and noted Buffalo could still keep five inside linebackers.
What Comes Next
The Bills’ exhibition games provide another stage in the roster process.
Buffalo’s coaches will continue determining which players are the best options for the initial 53-man roster, and the inside linebacker competition remains part of that decision.
