The Buffalo Bills are off and running with the start of training camp. Here's what we learned Wednesday from Day 1 at St. John Fisher University.
Kincaid and Coleman make highlight-reel TD grabs
The first day of camp was all about executing in the red zone with both the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods taking place inside the 20. The offense came out roaring on Day 1 and as a result, touchdowns were plentiful.
The best stretch of the day included a stint where Josh Allen and the offense scored touchdowns on four consecutive plays — the first two from rookie WR Keon Coleman and the other two from TE Dalton Kincaid.
Coleman scored on a scramble drill play where Allen found him in the back of the end zone, then followed it up with a head-turning toe drag touchdown while being covered by CB Ja'Marcus Ingram. The play drew a loud roar from the sold-out stands.
"He moved well in some of the scramble stuff that we did," Allen said of Coleman. "A guy that, again, he's learning. I think today was some lightening stuff, quick stuff going at him, and he took it in stride, and understood the assignment that he had, or had throughout practice."
After that it was Kincaid's turn. Kincaid's second TD came on a play where he lept up in the air to secure the ball while in tight coverage against S Taylor Rapp.
"Obviously starting off with red zone Day 1, that's where games are won and lost in this league. The ability to score 7 instead of kick for 3, it's a big 4-point swing," Allen said.
The TD streak ended after LB Terrel Bernard knocked away a pass in the end zone directed toward Khalil Shakir.
LB Matt Milano was a full participant in practice with no limitations. The team still plans to exercise caution with his workload ahead of the season, which will include planned rest days during training camp.
"We got to manage and we got to be smart," GM Brandon Beane said "He's a competitor. He's going to want to practice every day. I don't think that's realistic. But it's good to see him out there."
Allen & McDermott believe Bills WRs will 'rise to the occasion'
One of the major storylines throughout the offseason has been how the Bills plan on structuring their wide receiver room in 2024. Now that training camp is here, we can expect players to start to showcase what they can bring to the table in a more defined capacity.
Buffalo added Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool through free agency, as well as rookie Keon Coleman through the NFL Draft. Khalil Shakir is the only returning WR that has caught a pass from Josh Allen in a game.
How the hierarchy among the group plays out will be something to watch as camp unfolds, but Buffalo's QB and head coach are confident in the group they have.
"I know a lot of people talk about we don't have a true No. 1 and this and that. I think these guys will rise to the occasion, I really do," McDermott said.
Allen put in a lot of extra work this offseason with the receiver group, as well as the running backs and tight ends to develop chemistry even before the start of training camp. Over 15 players from the Bills offense got together in Nashville right before camp.
"It's not as much for the throwing as it is for the getting together and going out to dinner and learning people on a personal level. Don't get me wrong – we were out there working for two hours in the Nashville heat, you know 90, 90-plus degrees and 100% humidity," Allen shared. "The more that you can trust somebody off the field, the more you can trust them on the field."
On the first day of practice, five of the aforementioned receivers (Claypool worked with the second-team) got a chance to line up with the first-team unit, a philosophy OC Joe Brady alluded to earlier this offseason. Allen sees a group that is eager to compete for their roles.
"We didn't have simplistic plays in today, I don't know if you guys noticed that, but we did have a lot of shifts, a lot of motions and I thought guys went out there and handled it very well," he said.
Beane on anonymous criticism of Josh Allen: "It's ignorant"
Following practice, GM Brandon Beane addressed the media for his opening press conference, the same as he does on Day 1 of every new training camp. What was surprising this year was that Beane's answer to the first question included words such as "frustrating", "naysayers" and "ignorant".
Those deliberate choices of vocabulary were in response to a question about an ESPN report earlier this summer in which anonymous NFL executives, coaches and scouts were polled about the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. The story included an eyebrow-raising quote about Josh Allen who was ranked No. 3, only behind Patrick Mahomes (No. 1) and Joe Burrow (No. 2)
An anonymous league executive labeled Allen as "one of the more overrated players in the NFL."
When asked about his thoughts on those comments, Beane didn't hold back.
"I don't know where to start. It's frustrating," Beane said. "You try to ignore this stuff, but Josh is going into year seven and there are still the naysayers. I don't get it. If I was going to use rated, I would say underrated before I would say overrated, and I know I'm biased. He's our guy and I love him every single day. These things that come out there, I know people love the rankings of whoever, but when you don't put your name to it and you make comments like that, like, who is this executive?"
Beane continued on to say that he believes some of the negativity stems from those who did not hold Josh Allen in high regard as a prospect coming into the league and may still hold that bias.
"There are idiots everywhere… until you put your name on it, I don't know," Beane said. "I think part of it truthfully is we are all well aware when Josh came out, there are people who thought he was a bust or would not make it for all the reasons that they've listed over the years. I just think any time someone thinks they've got a crack, they're going to say, 'see, I told you so.' They're looking for things."
"Josh's positives don't even come close to the negatives. For what he's done for this team, for what he's done in this league and his own accomplishments, to say he's overrated and to point out a flaw here or there, it's ignorant."
Scroll to see the best photos from opening day of the 2024 Buffalo Bills Training Camp. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81), KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Crowd. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Adam Henry, Keon Coleman (0), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47), Taron Johnson (7), Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Lawrence Keys (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Andy Isabella (87). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Eli Ankou (51), Ed Oliver (91), A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Terrel Bernard (43), Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rondel Bothroyd (97). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
KJ Hamler (19), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Zach Davidson (84), Dalton Kincaid (86), David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88), Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Mike Edwards (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3), Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Crowd. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Yes. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
A.J. Epenesa (57), Marcus West, Javon Solomon (56), Gable Steveson (61). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marcus West, A.J. Epenesa (57), Eli Ankou (51), Ed Oliver (91), Dawuane Smoot (94), Casey Toohill (99), DaQuan Jones (92), Greg Rousseau (50), Rondel Bothroyd (97), Kameron Cline (96), Branson Deen (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Crowd. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
La'el Collins (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Billy Buffalo. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Cam Lewis (39), Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Matthew Smiley. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
