Buffalo Plus Podcast: The Buffalo BILLS' DEFENSE: Can They Be ELITE in 2025!?

Release Date: July 15, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ defense ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The Buffalo Plus team brings their combined expertise to discuss whether the revamped defensive roster, with its youth movement and offseason changes, can rise to elite status. The hosts analyze positional groups, individual players’ development, and the impact of coaching continuity, while expressing cautious optimism mixed with realism about roster questions and the challenges ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

General Confidence in the Defense

• Cautious Optimism Prevails:

  • Mike Catalana opens the episode noting that his confidence level is “not high at the moment because there’s too many question marks for it to be good. Now there’s a potential, I think maybe more potential than we’ve had for it to actually be good. Some young players, some exciting players..." (01:30)
  • Dan expresses he's “excited about this defense and mainly because it’s not what it was. Like, they didn’t just run it back..." (02:48)

• Refreshing Roster Turnover:

  • Jenna notes, “The Quinton Jeffersons, the Von Millers — those are players that are not on another NFL roster right now...And the Bills moved on from them, which I think was the right decision.” (03:54)

Positional Breakdowns

Secondary (Safeties & Corners)

• Cole Bishop’s Critical Role:

  • The starting safety spot heavily hinges on second-year man Cole Bishop’s development.
    • Mike: “You need him so badly to step up and be so badly a good player, a starting level guy who’s gonna get better week after week.” (05:37)
    • Dan: “This is Cole Bishop’s job to lose...It is so much his job to lose this year. And so you’re right. Like, there is...he’s probably the player the Bills are expecting and need to step up the most.” (06:54)
    • Jenna asks: “Do you think the safeties are a stronger unit than last year, and how much of that hinges on Cole Bishop?” (07:51)

• Taylor Rapp’s Toughness:

  • Described as “first team all crash test dummy” for his aggressive play style (00:07 & 08:21).
    Dan clarifies: “Focus on the crash test part, not the dummy part.”
    Jenna laughs: “Like, Dan is saying that as a compliment.”

• Trust & Meritocracy in Defensive Backfield:

  • Mike shares philosophy: “They need to trust players, especially on defense. No more so than those two guys at the back end...in a Sean McDermott now Bobby Babbage defense. You better know where you’re going to be.” (09:09)

• Rookies Will Get Opportunity:

  • The coaches are not against starting rookies: “You look at Christian Benford...not only was he a rookie when he started, he was the sixth round pick. It wasn’t like they just gave it to the number one guy.” (09:37)

• Max Hairston as a Possible Breakout:

  • Optimism surrounding his speed and potential as the other outside corner.
  • “I think Harrison—like that speed was something we haven’t seen in Buffalo since Trey...prime Trey.” (30:21)

Defensive Line & Pass Rush

• Roster Rebuild and Versatility:

  • Dan appreciates the change in approach: “I like that they tried to seemingly do new things.” (02:48)

• Rookie & Youth Investment:

  • High draft capital spent this year: “They haven’t had a year like this where they just said, our draft is for these guys.” (15:18)
  • Discussion on signing holdouts, specifically, concern if TJ Sanders misses valuable camp reps (14:34).

• Greg Rousseau & Ed Oliver’s Next Steps:

  • Question whether Rousseau can become a true “double-digit sack guy” and take the next step (19:25).

  • “Have we seen Greg’s [ceiling]? ...I think we’ve seen Ed [Oliver] take over and dominate games every once in a while. It’s the consistency.” (19:22)

  • Candid exchange on expectations:

    • Mike: “Can...I ask a question of you two?...Do you think Ed Oliver is thought of as a higher level player than Greg Russo?” (19:28)
    • Dan: “I think there’s more defensive ends that take over games. I think there are fewer defensive tackles that can take over games.” (20:08)

  • Debate on sack numbers:

    • Dan: “He [Rousseau] needs [at least] nine sacks.” (22:17)
    • Mike: “Last year I said double digits...what did he end up with?” (22:28)
    • Jenna: “It says he had eight sacks in 2024. Eight and two in the postseason.” (22:58)

• Impact of Joey Bosa:

  • Concerns about health but high ceiling if he stays available (24:51).
  • Mike: “It’s the reason why he’s signing a guy with his success in this league is signing a one-year deal...” (24:55)
  • Comparison to the Von Miller/Leonard Floyd signings: “If he can be healthy...he can be good for them.” (25:32)

• Depth & Diversity:

  • Excitement about different player types (e.g., speed rushers like Javon Solomon vs. bigger-bodied Landon Jackson). “It’s like the basketball team...I like the fact that Salman has something different.” (13:46)

Linebackers

• Strength if Healthy:
  • “There’s a reason to be optimistic on the linebackers because Bernard and Milano are healthy...and Dorian Williams as that third linebacker. That’s pretty good.” (05:12)
  • Dorian Williams described as “hair on fire” player, potentially the best athlete on the team. (27:14)
  • Dan: “He hits so hard, plays so violent...I see that in Dorian. I just don’t know if he can be a consistent three down linebacker yet.” (26:43)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Defensive Potential:

  • Mike: “I think maybe more potential than we’ve had...Some young players, some exciting players, some position depth that they haven’t had.” (01:30)

• On Taylor Rapp:

  • Dan: “He’s a crash test dummy. He does first team all crash test dummy.” (00:07, 08:21)
  • Jenna: “Dan is saying that as a compliment.” (00:15, 08:30)

• On Sean McDermott and Rookies:

  • Dan: “Sean was very adamant that...this belief that Sean McDermott doesn’t play rookies — that’s not true...” (06:54)

• Reflecting on Defensive Trends:

  • Dan: “This needs to be a year where...the parts need to be really good too. There need to be guys that make big plays in big moments on the defense.” (11:12)

• Humorous Bit (Greg Rousseau Sack Debate):

  • Mike: “How many sacks this year?” (21:47)
  • Dan: “He needs nine sacks.” (22:17)
  • Jenna: “Wow.” (22:18)

• On Defensive Player “Best Shape of Life” Cliché:

  • Mike: “I want a guy who does come in and we hear best shape of his life.” (28:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------|---------------| | Evaluating offseason defensive changes | 01:30 | | Question marks in starting lineup | 01:47 | | Emphasis on new faces over retreads | 02:48 | | Draft strategy and youth movement | 03:54/15:18 | | Cole Bishop’s importance at safety | 05:37/07:51 | | Taylor Rapp’s playing style | 00:07/08:21 | | Rookies and trust in coaching philosophy | 09:09 | | Rousseau & Ed Oliver expectations | 19:23/22:17 | | Joey Bosa health and potential impact | 24:51/25:32 | | Dorian Williams as an athlete | 27:14 | | Players the hosts are most excited to watch | 30:12 |

Excitement & Concerns Heading into 2025

• Most Excited To Watch:

  • Dan: “I think it’s Hairston.”
  • Mike: “Yeah, I’m with you.”
  • Jenna: “Mine’s Landon Jackson...he could make such a big impact.” (30:12)

• Biggest Concerns:

  • Health and reliability of Joey Bosa and other new veteran additions.
  • The steep learning curve and performance of defensive rookies, especially early with some veterans suspended.
  • Whether draft investments in the D-line (Sanders, Jackson, Carter) will translate to production.

Memorable Closing & Community Questions

Jenna wraps by inviting listeners:
“Please comment in who you are most excited to see on the Bills defense. Your thoughts on some of the other players and just what are your — are there any concerns about Joey Bosa and his health? Like what are your thoughts as we head into summer training camp?” (49:55)

Podcast Personalities & Banter

• Running jokes about Dan predicting Bernard’s breakout, “best shape of his life” clichés, and lighthearted debates on bread storage and twist ties.
• Heartfelt moments, including shoutouts to family, personal stories, and credits to supportive spouses and doctors (see 35:23 and on).
• Buffalo Plus team’s camaraderie and local connections shine throughout.

In Summary

The Buffalo Plus crew delivers an episode packed with analysis, curiosity, realism, and playful banter as they break down the Bills’ defensive outlook for 2025. They recognize the hope that comes with new talent and a new approach, but stress that “question marks” will only be erased through on-field results. Can the sum — and now, perhaps, the individual parts — finally make Buffalo’s defense elite again?

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