It’s been 12 months since Joe Andreessen first stepped onto the Buffalo Bills’ field in a preseason game, and the arc of his trajectory has shifted notably. After spending last summer as a roster longshot earning limited second-half reps, the Western New Yorker found himself starting alongside star-caliber linebacker Matt Milano as Buffalo opened its 2025 exhibition slate against the New York Giants on August 9.
Andreessen logged 43 defensive snaps in the game, racking up five tackles and delivering a clearer sense of how far he’s come. His comfort level on defense, he said afterward, is markedly improved from a year ago, though he’s quick to add there’s still a long way to go.
“Definitely getting better,” he told reporters after the game. “You can watch some [film from] last year in training camp and stuff, and it looks like two different worlds. Like, you don’t even know what I’m doing out there. But, I’m still nowhere near where I need to be and where I know I can be.”
His ascent is all the more notable when set against the backstory of his rookie season. Andreessen earned a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent after a standout minicamp tryout and signed his contract in the wake of that success. He appeared in 13 regular-season games, primarily contributing on special teams.
What this means for Buffalo is a clearer picture of their depth at linebacker, especially behind Milano. Andreessen’s early-season ramp suggests the Bills view him as a potential factor in sub-packages and a growing voice on defense as he continues to polish his technique and game awareness.
Commentary and analysis:
– Andreessen’s 43 defensive snaps in the opener indicate the Bills are comfortable exposing him to more complex looks and coordinating with established veterans. If he continues to progress, he could push for a larger role behind Milano and whoever rounds out the starting group.
– His growth from year one to year two mirrors the Bills’ broader development approach: leveraging undrafted talent via coaching, film study, and situational reps to build a versatile, cost-effective depth chart.
Bottom line:
Andreessen is on an upward trajectory, transforming from a hopeful late-round addition into a developing contributor who has earned a more prominent role in Buffalo’s defensive plans. His progress will be worth watching as the preseason unfolds and the Bills finalize their depth chart for the regular season.
Summary:
A year after his debut, Joe Andreessen showed tangible growth in the Bills’ preseason opener, starting alongside Milano and delivering five tackles across 43 snaps. The undrafted rookie, who made the roster after a standout minicamp, is deeper into his development and aims to convert this early progress into a more substantial defensive role.
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