Defensive Starters Shine For Buffalo Bills Against Carolina Panthers

The Buffalo Bills began their 2026 preseason slate on Saturday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers, and it was a day to remember for the starting unit. 

While the offense did their thing, putting up 10 points on two drives, it was the starting defense that stole the show in the first game at the new Highmark Stadium.

Right from the first snap, the defense played with the aggressiveness that new defensive coordinator has spoken about since being hired. Whether it was the linemen up front or the linebackers in the middle, the defense took care of business in the three series they played on Saturday.

The first drive started with a Jonathon Brooks rush for now gain, followed by two Bryce Young pass attempts and a punt. The next two drives went pretty much the same, with the defense forcing two more three-and-outs.

The pressure was there from Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, Bradley Chubb, and Gregory Rousseau on nearly every dropback. The first sack for the unit came on 3rd and 6 on the Panthers' third drive, when Walker broke through the line to bring down Young. 

In total, the Bills starters were on the field for just nine plays, allowing 12 yards over the course of 5:43 of game time in the opening half. What's more is the fact that they played so well without three expected starters. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston, along with safeties C.J. Garder-Johnson and Cole Bishop, sat out with various injuries. 

The replacements, rookie Davison Igbinosun, Demar Hamlin, and Geno Stone, all played well in their place. Young, against the secondary, finished 3-of-5 for 18 yards.

For the Bills, it was a strong day at the office for a starting group with high hopes for the season. It wasn't until the reserves came in late in the second quarter that Carolina's offense found momentum, scoring a touchdown just before halftime to cut the lead to 13-7 at half.