PITTSFORD, N.Y. — With so much new for the Buffalo Bills in 2026, they got back to basics for seven practices this summer at St. John Fisher University just outside Rochester before heading back to Orchard Park for the rest of the 2026 season.After Friday’s final practice whistle was blown and before Saturday night’s Blue & Red scrimmage at the new, state-of-the-art Highmark Stadium, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia and Tim Graham convened to discuss what’s stood out most so far with this year’s version of the Bills.Buscaglia: Well, Tim, our annual time in Pittsford has come to an end. An abbreviated one this time around with only seven practices in total, but pads were popped, skirmishes were scuffled, and we even got a little news at the end.The theatrics certainly weren’t the same as this time last year with the in-camp extension for running back James Cook, but starting right guard O’Cyrus Torrence got paid and will be under contract through the 2030 season after he signs. Did this come as a surprise to you at all, Tim?Graham: The Bills have done a wonderful job of maintaining continuity on their offensive line, and this offseason was more important than most. Revered offensive line coach and run game coordinator Aaron Kromer retired. Two of their standouts, left guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern, were free agents. They couldn’t keep both and almost lost them before an 11th-hour push, assisted by Josh Allen, got McGovern to re-sign at less than market value. Edwards took the New Orleans Saints’ bag. Locking up Torrence through 2030 was a wise move.Buscaglia: I know some people were curious as to why the Bills went out of their way to pay Torrence, and most of that is stemming from his lack of awards given or some other metrics out there. I can only speak to what I see, what I study, and what those around him say, but in setting up their offensive line for the long run, I think this could be an outstanding contract for them for several reasons.Graham: The guy started from the moment he arrived in Buffalo as the 59th overall pick in 2023. He has played every game. He’s a machine.Buscaglia: Torrence has shown me to be a consistently improving player on film since he entered the league. He went from an above-average starter as a rookie, to a good starter in his second season, and then to an ascending player and one of their best starters on the entire team in 2025. He took a massive leap in the second half of the 2025 season, which is why getting him done now before everyone else realizes the leaps he’s made is very smart. On top of that, he’s still only in his age-26 season, and there is a very real chance he makes another jump forward. Left tackle Dion Dawkins’ future is an unknown past this year, so having Torrence takes a variable out. Plus, with how the league is trending and its overall emphasis on interior pressure and the run game, having great guards is that much more important. Make no mistake, Torrence is on the precipice of becoming a great NFL guard, which is why they did the deal.But I’ll get off my soapbox now, Tim. You know how I get when it comes to offensive line talk. Other than Torrence, what’s your vibe on head coach Joe Brady’s first camp?Graham: Wet. It rained four of the seven practices at St. John Fisher University, a soaking, saturating rain that made everybody miserable. Aside from putting on sneakers and working out in the gymnasium, there was no way for Brady’s maiden training camp. He said all the rah-rah stuff about how it’s good to get out there in the elements and see how his boys handle adversity and whatnot, but given his druthers, I’m sure we would see Brady opt for a more efficient quality under the One Bills Drive field house roof. Makes you wonder, with the sparkling new $2.1 billion stadium available in Orchard Park, how much longer training camp will be held 84 miles away.Buscaglia: I have to tell you, it was a real buzz kill to bust out a brand new notebook only for it to get weathered on Day 1 by the downpour. But we charged on, and the pages (and notes) are intact! My #Puntapalooza stopwatch too, thank goodness.Besides the rain, what’s piqued your curiosity on the field?Graham: The most interesting aspect of training camp to me was seeing new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s plans starting to materialize in front of us. He’s considered a brilliant mind with a future as an NFL head coach someday, but he hasn’t called defenses in the NFL yet and not at all since he was the defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin. But how much did we really learn? The preseason opener isn’t until next week. I’m still uncertain what to expect.Buscaglia: I think a lot of it is just questions with few answers right now. They’re trying to work through a lot of it. The defensive line rotation is very different from what it used to be, as are the roles. Ed Oliver and Deone Walker are good players, but the rotation behind them is an unknown. The inside linebackers struggled to stop the run last year. How much better can Terrel Bernard be, and can impressive rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr make a sizable impact as a player who fits this defense to a T?Graham: Elarms-Orr was a darling of the St. John Fisher portion of training camp, and that’s a fabulous sign for a team that is down six starters from its postseason defense. No more Matt Milano or Shaq Thompson, and undersized incumbent Terrel Bernard always seems banged up. Elarms-Orr, a rookie fourth-round pick, took advantage of those reps when Bernard was easing his way back from ankle surgery. What have we learned about the secondary?Buscaglia: Cornerback is probably my biggest question right now. Is Maxwell Hairston a plus-No. 2 starter, or is he going to be someone teams game plan to attack in 2026 — and are the Bills stocked with enough depth or answers in case it’s the latter? Hairston has flashed his speed, which is great, but some of the technical and physical aspects have led to struggles in camp.To me, it’s going to come down to scheme. Leonhard is a very impressive dude. I think he has head coach potential. How much can his scheme and play-calling acumen make up for some of these questions on the field? I think that will be the difference between them being a Top 12-15 unit and one that’s in the 20s. If he’s that good, it might be a short stint in Buffalo.Let’s flip over to offense, Tim. DJ Moore is the toast of Pittsford, and his deep-ball touchdown from Josh Allen between three defenders still has the Bills swooning. Brady called it “teach tape.” What do you make of their big-time receiver acquisition through early August?Graham: I’m more cautious than most. For Bills fans, I hope he turns into the difference-maker they’ve been waiting for ever since Stefon Diggs micro-aggressioned his way out of town. Moore has looked sensational at camp, but you would expect that from a ninth-year vet with four 1,000-yard seasons. But some fans and even media are acting like Moore will look like Randy Moss. Granted, Moore hasn’t played with a quarterback as skilled as Allen, and perhaps something previously hidden will be unlocked, but Moore is 29 and never has been selected for so much as a Pro Bowl. Bills tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid are Pro Bowlers. So is Shedeur Sanders. It’s easier than ever. I believe Moore will be a fine player and improve the offense significantly, but Las Vegas has his over/under totals at 65.5 catches, 800.5 yards, and 5.5 touchdowns. Buffalo’s record book probably won’t be rewritten.