Bills Add Linebacker Depth, Shuffle Wide Receiver Room
The Buffalo Bills made a noteworthy roster move on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, signing veteran inside linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to a one-year contract. To make room on the 90-man roster, the team released wide receiver Max Tomczak.
Flannigan-Fowles, 29, joins the Bills after spending the 2025 season with the New York Giants, where he appeared in 10 games. The move adds experienced depth to a linebacker corps that General Manager Brandon Beane has been methodically reshaping throughout the offseason. While Flannigan-Fowles isn't a household name, his arrival signals that the Bills value versatility and special teams contributions as they assemble the final pieces of their roster under head coach Joe Brady.
The release of Tomczak, an undrafted free agent who signed with Buffalo earlier this offseason, trims a crowded wide receiver room that still features 14 players on the current 90-man roster. The team remains deep at the position with established names like DJ Moore, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Joshua Palmer, plus newcomers and developing talent competing for roster spots.
For Flannigan-Fowles, this is an opportunity to carve out a role on a team with playoff aspirations. The Bills' linebacker room currently includes Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen, and others, plus edge players like Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb who factor into the linebacker rotation. Flannigan-Fowles projects primarily as a backup inside linebacker and core special teams contributor -- a role he has filled effectively throughout his career.
What Flannigan-Fowles Brings to the Table
Flannigan-Fowles entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2020 and has steadily built a reputation as a reliable, smart defender. He spent his first five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before a one-year stint with the Giants. Across his career, he has appeared in 73 games with six starts, totaling over 100 tackles, a couple of sacks, and consistent contributions on coverage units.
At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Flannigan-Fowles has the frame to play inside in the Bills' scheme. He's not a dynamic playmaker, but he diagnoses runs quickly and takes proper angles. In sub-packages and on special teams, he understands assignments and rarely makes mental errors. For a coaching staff installing a new defensive system under coordinator Jim Leonhard, having a veteran who can step in and execute without needing extensive remedial training is a clear asset.
The timing of the signing also aligns with the start of organized team activities (OTAs). Flannigan-Fowles will have the entire spring and summer to learn the playbook, build rapport with his new teammates, and compete for a roster spot. If he performs well, he could secure a role as the team's third or fourth inside linebacker and a key special teamer.
Kincaid and Samuel Finding Their Groove in OTAs
While the roster move grabbed headlines, perhaps the more significant story out of Buffalo this week is how key offensive pieces Dalton Kincaid and Curtis Samuel are using OTAs to settle into their roles.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid, entering his fourth season, is feeling healthy for the first time in a while. After playing through a knee injury for much of last season, Kincaid told reporters that he's now at full strength and excited to showcase what he can do when operating at 100 percent. In a tight end room that includes Dawson Knox and rookie Keleki Latu, Kincaid remains the primary pass-catching threat at the position. His ability to create mismatches against safeties and linebackers is central to what offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. wants to do in the passing game.
Kincaid's health is a major variable for the Bills' offense. When he's fully operational, he stretches the seam, moves the chains on third down, and gives Josh Allen a reliable target over the middle. Last season, limited mobility and pain clearly affected his explosiveness. If he's truly back to form, the Bills' passing attack could take a significant step forward.
Curtis Samuel, who re-signed with Buffalo this offseason, is also using OTAs to re-establish chemistry with Allen. Samuel, a versatile weapon who can line up in the slot, out wide, or even in the backfield, emphasized that the spring sessions are about developing timing and trust with the quarterback. Learning the nuances of Brady's system -- which now carries the added layer of Carmichael's input -- requires repetition and on-field communication. Samuel has the skill set to be a mismatch piece, but only if he and Allen are on the same page when the bullets fly in September.
Offensive Scheme Taking Shape
The presence of both Kincaid and Samuel in OTAs is telling. Brady, now fully installed as head coach, is working with Carmichael to craft an offense that maximizes the weapons available. The Bills have a deep receiver corps, a dynamic running back by committee led by James Cook III and Ray Davis, and two tight ends who can be deployed in a variety of ways. Samuel's versatility and Kincaid's seam-stretching ability give Carmichael the flexibility to create matchup advantages.
"It's all about timing and trust," Samuel said of his work with Allen. "The more reps we get out here, the more comfortable we'll be when it counts."
Kincaid echoed that sentiment, noting that the entire group is focused on building a cohesive unit. "The offense is fluid, guys are moving around, and we're learning how to play off each other," he said. "Being healthy is huge for me. I feel like I can get back to being the player I was before the injury."
Looking Ahead
The Bills are still in the early stages of their offseason program, with mandatory minicamp and training camp on the horizon. The signing of Flannigan-Fowles is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move that adds veteran savvy to a young linebacker corps. Meanwhile, the offensive skill players are using every practice rep to build the foundation for what they hope will be a productive season.
For a team that has Super Bowl aspirations but fell short in recent years, every detail matters. Roster depth, player health, and scheme familiarity all factor into the equation. The Bills are checking boxes this spring, and the work happening now could pay dividends come December and January.
Keep an eye on Flannigan-Fowles as he competes for a roster spot, and on Kincaid and Samuel as they continue to develop chemistry with Allen. If everything clicks, this Bills offense could be one of the most dangerous in the league.