The Buffalo Bills Biggest Problem in 2026

When looking at the Buffalo Bills' biggest potential weaknesses, there's a reason the linebacker room keeps coming up. The position enters the 2026 season with legitimate questions surrounding both the starting competition and the depth behind it.

Terrel Bernard is banged up heading into Week 1, while Dorian Williams is getting another opportunity to establish himself as a full-time player. Brandon Beane acknowledged the situation when discussing the competition, noting that Bernard is “nicked up a little bit” and that the team hopes to have him back to full health before the season opener.

If Bernard is healthy, Buffalo at least has a proven option at one spot. The bigger question is what the Bills can expect from Williams and the players behind him. Joe Andreessen has earned the trust of the coaching staff and can play multiple positions, but the Bills are still relying on younger players to develop into meaningful contributors.

That could make Kaleb Alarms-Orr one of the more important players to watch as the season progresses. The rookie showed enough over the summer to suggest he could eventually become part of the solution, but Buffalo can't reasonably expect him to immediately erase every concern at the position, at least in the early part of the year.

The problem with linebacker is that weaknesses can be difficult to hide. Those players have to handle run defense, coverage, communication, and assignments in the middle of the field. If the Bills aren't getting consistent play from the position, opposing offenses will have opportunities to attack it repeatedly.

That's especially important in Jim Leonhard's first season as defensive coordinator. Buffalo is moving to a 3-4 scheme that is designed to create more versatility and allow players to be used in different ways. The new system could help put the linebackers in better situations, but it won't eliminate the need for them to execute.

The good news is that Buffalo has time to find answers. Beane has emphasized the importance of developing young players throughout a 17-game season, knowing that teams inevitably need unexpected contributors once injuries and attrition take their toll. They also have a backup plan in Shaq Thompson if needed.

If Bernard gets and stays healthy, Williams takes a step forward, and one of the younger linebackers emerges, this concern could quickly fade. But entering the season, linebacker has fewer proven answers than most other positions on the Bills' roster, making it a weakness worth watching closely.