2024 Buffalo Bills training camp: Day 1 observations and takeaways

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Bills QB Josh Allen (17) escapes the grasp of Buffalo DT Ed Oliver (91) on July 24, 2024 at training camp at St. John Fisher University | image credit: Matt Byham

What stood out most about the first two hours of 2024 Buffalo Bills training camp?

Another year of Buffalo Bills training camp is underway, and the first official practice is now firmly in the books. As first days at football camp go, the events could not have gone much better. Graced with a near picture-perfect morning in Rochester, NY, the stage was set for a spirited couple hours of NFL football practice. The Bills delivered early and often.

There’s a real sense of competition happening already, with the various teams of offense going at it between plays in a spirited yet friendly way. From what I observed, almost every pass catcher had a day.

Quarterback Josh Allen was dialed-in, and the entire quarterback room put together a turnover-free first practice while operating with some fairly complex plays that utilized plenty of motion and more.

Wide receiver Mack Hollins looked explosive running routes and getting open in the back corner of the end zone, while Curtis Samuel looked as shifty as ever moving in traffic and finding the open seams to keep the chains moving. Khalil Shakir continues to impress, opening camp with a seemingly more diverse set of plays designed to get him open at all points of the field.

Continuing with a theme, tight end Dalton Kincaid seemed to consume every football that headed his way — showing off a ton of elite in-air traits that should take Bills Mafia’s breath away this season. Importantly, take note that tight end Dawson Knox isn’t ready to cede snaps yet — showing how important his brand of red zone chemistry is with Josh Allen. Knox is likely motivated to put 2023 and the injury behind him and ready to form what could be one of the league’s most potent TE tandems at any point on the field.

There was a heavy focus on red zone work, most acutely end zone drills. It would appear as though Sal Capaccio saw the exact same thing I did, which is to say that it was clearly the offense’s day.

It’s fair to expect we see plenty more of that in camp as Josh Allen continues to acclimate to all his new receivers. Speaking of Allen, he looked ready for the regular season, moving easily out of harm’s way on several occasions to complete a pass downfield.

Second-year wide receiver Justin Shorter was fired up following a TD catch — launching the football well into the trees separating the Fisher campus and the expressway. After a fair bit of searching, the ball was dutifully returned to the Bills’ equipment staff.

One of the Bills’ newest additions, wide receiver Chase Claypool stands out in a crowd, a true dominating presence as a pass catcher. About halfway through practice, Claypool pulled up limping following an end zone play. Thankfully, it appears Claypool wasn’t too seriously injured — but we’ll have to wait for the official word on what, if any, injury was sustained.

As reported elsewhere, cornerback Kaiir Elam did receive first-team reps at cornerback. Joining him in those unit reps was safety Damar Hamlin, perhaps one of the bigger surprises to see running with the ones. Hamlin is a known force against the run, but it remains to be seen how his role and Elam’s both develop over the course of camp. It’s too early and too difficult yet to make much of a determination about the roles of each safety on the current roster. Rookie Cole Bishop saw plenty of action, as well.

Concerning quarterbacks not named Allen: Mitch Trubisky looked good, and he still throws a really nice football in practice. The same could be said of Shane Buechele, though neither signal caller appears ready to stand above the brilliance that is often a Josh Allen throw. Buechele is a fiery dude, as I observed him time and again jawing with teammates between plays.

While I failed to note much regarding linebacker Matt Milano’s progress in working his way back from last season’s leg injury, Alaina Getzenberg shared a key update that should excite fans.

What about the Bills’ top rookie draft pick? Keon Coleman is putting in work on his routes, and he looks like a man on a mission every snap.

Following the main portion of practice, I captured Coleman working individual drill with offensive coordinator Joe Brady providing resistance.

image credit: Matt Byham

image credit: Matt Byham

image credit: Matt Byham

A hearty round of applause is due for Damar Hamlin who, following practice, went over to the far side where fans were waiting along the entirety of the fence. Hamlin made his way down the line, meaningfully engaging with each and every fan eager to capture a memory. Hamlin didn’t stop until the last fan received an autograph, and he encouraged folks to come over and engage with him.

image credit: Matt Byham

Damar Hamlin is someone who’s very easy to cheer for, and it’s fully understandable why the team continues betting on his development. If you head to camp this summer, Hamlin is certain to leave you with a smile once the day’s work is through.

In the short amount of work I watched unfold this morning, it’s clear to me the 2024 Buffalo Bills are a team focused on proving national media pundits wrong.

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