The Buffalo Bills are making some alterations to their pass rush after the first preseason game.
The Bills have been making frequent tweaks to their defensive line through training camp and the start of the preseason, including cutting ties with a former Super Bowl champion defensive end who lasted only a little more than a week.
Bills Part Ways With Justin Hollins
The Bills announced on August 5 that they signed veteran defensive end Justin Hollins, who won a Super Bowl as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. As Ralph Ventre of SI.com noted, Holins suffered an injury that led to his departure from the team — with an option of returning at some point down the line.
“The Bills waived the 29-year-old, who did not appear in a regular season game during the 2024 campaign, with an injury designation on Thursday,” Ventre wrote. “If unclaimed, Hollins will land on Buffalo’s Injured Reserve list until a settlement can be reached.”
The Bills had been looking to add depth to a position that was shaky at times in 2024. The Bills struggled to generate a consistent pass rush, which was a problem in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game last season.
While Hollins, who didn’t appear in a game in the 2024 season, was likely only competing for a spot on the practice squad, his departure means the Bills will need to look elsewhere for some depth through the remainder of the preseason.
Bills Fill the Void at Defensive End
The Bills already filled the void a bit, announcing that they signed free-agent defensive end Nelson Ceaser to the 90-man roster.
The 6-foot-3, 264-pound Ceaser signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent last summer, but he was waived at final cuts. He also spent a season with the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.
As Ventre noted, Ceaser had a standout career in college.
“In 2023, Ceaser ended his collegiate career by earning All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors after 9.5-sack campaign,” Ventre wrote. “The two-year starter totaled 41 career appearances for Houston. He becomes the second UH defensive lineman currently on the Bills’ roster, joining former first-round defensive tackle Ed Oliver.”
The Bills made a big investment in their edge rushing group this summer, signing veteran Joey Bosa to a one-year contract. The veteran looked sharp in his first preseason game in seven years, knocking down a pass in limited action against the New York Giants.
“I thought it was good that he got out there,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said after the game. “I thought Joey did some good things in the run game in particular.”
The 30-year-old Bosa added that it felt good to get on the field.
“Just go out there and play with fundamentals,” Bosa said.
The Bills have tried some other big moves to boost their pass rush, including the signing of All-Pro Von Miller in 2022, but failed to move the needle much. Miller suffered a torn ACL in his first season with the Bills and struggled to regain his athleticism afterward, ultimately being released this offseason.
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