The Buffalo Bills kicked off their second week of training camp at St. John Fisher University this week.
However, the team moved practice to Highmark Stadium for their annual “Return of the Red & Blue” practice on August 1. To kick things off, Bills quarterback Josh Allen came through the tunnel, debuting the team’s new red helmets this season.
Buffalo officially announced the return of the red helmets on July 22, but fans got their first look at the real thing on Monday. The debut came as a huge surprise since the team wasn’t expected to wear the new helmets until December.
Bills reporter Alec White wrote in a statement, “The Bills will wear their red helmets for the Week 18 game against the Jets to celebrate the final regular season game at Highmark Stadium, allowing fans a chance to relive the nostalgia before Buffalo opens new Highmark Stadium next year. The bold, striking red helmets feature the classic blue and white striping with white facemasks the team wore from 1987-2001.”
To say Bills Mafia is excited for the 2025 NFL season would be an understatement. Based on the attendances numbers for Monday’s practice, the team’s fan base is ready to show up and turn out this year.
A Record-Breaking Number of Fans Attended The ‘Return Of The Red & Blue’ Practice
The Bills have a lot of surprises in store ahead of the Bills’ final season before moving to the new Highmark Stadium across the street. Whether it’s soaking up time in the old stadium or getting an in-person look at Allen and Co., Bills Mafia broke a new record on Monday.
Bills chief operating officer Pete Guelli posted after practice, “A record-breaking crowd of 39,224 at our Blue & Red Practice tonight. Thank you, Bills Mafia!!”
As per tradition, Allen played catch with young fans in attendance before practice got underway. If these are the vibes in Orchard Park at practice in August, the atmosphere during a real game at Highmark Stadium in September should be electric.
The Bills have a tough opponent to start the season in Week 1, as they face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football.”
A Long List of Bills Players Did Not Participate in Monday’s Practice
The Bills are dealing with a laundry list of injuries before the preseason officially kicks off. Maxwell Hairston, their 2025 first-round pick arrived to the “Return of the Red & Blue” practice in crutches after suffering an LCL sprain. The rookie cornerback does not have a return time table just yet, but is expected to miss several weeks.
Other players did not suit up for Monday’s practice: wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Kaden Prather, linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, safety Cole Bishop, center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, offensive lineman Alec Anderson, and offensive tackle Spencer Brown.
Matt Milano, Tre’ White and Joey Bosa didn’t particpate in practice as they had a veteran’s rest day.
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