Bills To Extend LB Joe Andreessen

Andreessen, a native of nearby Depew, N.Y., joined the Bills as an undrafted free agent from the University at Buffalo in 2024. The 6-foot, 240-pounder beat the odds to earn a roster spot during his first summer as a pro and has since appeared in 33 of a possible 37 regular-season games.

Andreessen has taken on a limited defensive role with the Bills, who used him on approximately 10% of snaps under former head coach Sean McDermott and D-coordinator Bobby Babich from 2024-25. First-year coordinator Jim Leonhard hasn’t given Andreeessen a single defensive snap this season. However, the Bills have relied on Andreessen as a core special-teamer throughout his career. He logged a 55.16% ST snap share as a rookie, and that figure climbed to a team-leading 78.57% in 2025. With a 74.7% share this year, he ranks second among Bills in third-phase usage.

Andreessen, who has totaled 66 tackles and three forced fumbles as a Bill, had been on track to become a restricted free agent next offseason. The Bills now have him under wraps through 2028. He’s currently part of an inside linebacker group that also includes Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams and fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr, though the Bills could lose Williams in free agency in 2027. Elarms-Orr would likely take over for Williams in that scenario, while Andreessen would continue as a key special-teamer.