While the search for Sean McDermott’s successor dominates headlines, the machinery of NFL roster building never stops. Just hours after McDermott’s dismissal was announced on January 19, the Buffalo Bills’ front office, led by GM Brandon Beane, executed a series of under-the-radar moves that form the literal foundation of the 2026 team. The signing of 12 players to reserve/future contracts is a standard but vital offseason procedure, offering a first glimpse into the team’s depth chart planning and offseason priorities.
What Reserve/Future Deals Mean These contracts are essentially a claim on a player’s rights for the upcoming league year, which begins in March. They are primarily offered to players who finished the season on the team’s practice squad or were street free agents. These signings do not impact the current 2025 roster or salary cap but ensure the Bills control these players’ futures as they head into offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason. It’s a chance to develop depth and unearth hidden gems.
Notable Names in the Haul The list, officially announced by the team, includes several intriguing prospects and familiar faces:
- RB Frank Gore Jr.: The son of the NFL legend, Gore Jr. spent most of 2025 on the Bills’ practice squad. With veteran Latavius Murray a free agent and the running back room behind James Cook in flux, Gore Jr. will have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a roster spot in his second year.
- CB Dane Jackson: This signing is slightly different. Jackson was signed to the active roster late in the season, replacing the injured Jordan Phillips. Re-signing him to a futures deal indicates the team values his experience and depth at cornerback, a position that may see turnover.
- QB Shane Buechele: The signing of a veteran quarterback like Buechele is a clear move to stabilize the QB room behind Josh Allen. With Kyle Allen a free agent, Buechele provides a knowledgeable arm for offseason work and preseason competition, likely for the QB2 or QB3 job.
- WR Jalen Wayne & TE Zach Heins: These are developmental pass-catchers who will get extended looks, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Gabe Davis’s health and the high cap figure of Dawson Knox.
- Defensive Depth: Signings like DT Tommy Akingbesote, LB Jimmy Ciarlo, LB Deion Jennings, and CB Daryl Porter Jr. are investments in young defensive talent. With an aging defense and several key contributors coming off injury, cultivating cheap, young depth is a necessity.
Reading Between the Lines This batch of signings highlights several roster priorities. The addition of Buechele addresses quarterback depth. The retention of Gore Jr. and the signing of offensive lineman Travis Glover signal a focus on reinforcing the offensive backfield and trenches. The multitude of defensive signings reflects an understanding that the defense needs an infusion of youth and competition, particularly at linebacker and in the secondary.
These players are longshots to become stars, but they are the essential clay from which a 90-man offseason roster is formed. For every undrafted free agent who becomes a contributor, it starts with a contract like this. As the Bills navigate a cap crunch, finding affordable production from players on futures deals isn’t just hopeful—it’s a requirement. The work on the 2026 Buffalo Bills began not with a splashy hire, but with these 12 quiet signatures.