Lance Lysowski
@llysowski.bsky.social
Reporter covering the Buffalo Bills for The Buffalo News.
Pinned
Lance Lysowski
@llysowski.bsky.social
· Dec 7
Shaq Thompson had many dark days.
First, he lost his mother. Then, he lost two seasons to injuries.
"I went through depression for, like, two years."
His family, particularly his wife, Gabby, helped him press on. Now, he's flourishing with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
First, he lost his mother. Then, he lost two seasons to injuries.
"I went through depression for, like, two years."
His family, particularly his wife, Gabby, helped him press on. Now, he's flourishing with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Change is coming for the Bills' defense, but Jim Leonhard will build around a lot of players who are already on the roster.
They're a reason why he wanted the job.
My column on why he was the right choice to be Joe Brady's defensive coordinator:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
They're a reason why he wanted the job.
My column on why he was the right choice to be Joe Brady's defensive coordinator:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Lance Lysowski: Jim Leonhard an important part of Bills' plan to revamp their defense
“If you can create a lot of different looks with the same 11 people, that’s when offenses have to react,” Leonhard said at a press conference Thursday. “It changes blocking schemes. It changes what th...
buffalonews.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Change is coming for the Bills' defense, but Jim Leonhard will build around a lot of players who are already on the roster.
They're a reason why he wanted the job.
My column on why he was the right choice to be Joe Brady's defensive coordinator:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
They're a reason why he wanted the job.
My column on why he was the right choice to be Joe Brady's defensive coordinator:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Jim Leonhard has to yet to call a play in the NFL, but we saw and heard Thursday why the Bills' new defensive coordinator will someday be a head coach.
My column on Leonhard's plan and why he was the right guy to run Joe Brady's defense:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
My column on Leonhard's plan and why he was the right guy to run Joe Brady's defense:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Lance Lysowski: Jim Leonhard an important part of Bills' plan to revamp their defense
“If you can create a lot of different looks with the same 11 people, that’s when offenses have to react,” Leonhard said at a press conference Thursday. “It changes blocking schemes. It changes what th...
buffalonews.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Jim Leonhard has to yet to call a play in the NFL, but we saw and heard Thursday why the Bills' new defensive coordinator will someday be a head coach.
My column on Leonhard's plan and why he was the right guy to run Joe Brady's defense:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
My column on Leonhard's plan and why he was the right guy to run Joe Brady's defense:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
A new coach is in charge of the Bills' offensive line, plus Brandon Beane recognizes that he may lose two starters in free agency.
More on the possible turnover and Beane's plan for the OL:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
More on the possible turnover and Beane's plan for the OL:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Bills prepared to lose at least one starting offensive lineman this offseason
Two of the Bills' three starters on the offensive line, left guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern, will be able to sign elsewhere as soon as March 11 at 4 p.m. O'Cyrus Torrence, their right ...
buffalonews.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 PM
A new coach is in charge of the Bills' offensive line, plus Brandon Beane recognizes that he may lose two starters in free agency.
More on the possible turnover and Beane's plan for the OL:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
More on the possible turnover and Beane's plan for the OL:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Why was Jim Leonhard the right choice to be the Bills' defensive coordinator?
Answered several key questions in this story, including how their players fit in a 3-4 and why we need to change the way we think about the scheme:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Answered several key questions in this story, including how their players fit in a 3-4 and why we need to change the way we think about the scheme:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Bills analysis: Why Jim Leonhard's 3-4 defense was the right choice for Buffalo
Jim Leonhard left his job as the Denver Broncos’ pass game coordinator for the opportunity to reshape Buffalo’s defense from the 4-3, or 4-2-5 nickel, alignment used during Sean McDermott’s nine seaso...
buffalonews.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Why was Jim Leonhard the right choice to be the Bills' defensive coordinator?
Answered several key questions in this story, including how their players fit in a 3-4 and why we need to change the way we think about the scheme:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Answered several key questions in this story, including how their players fit in a 3-4 and why we need to change the way we think about the scheme:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Between 2006 and 2024 in the NFL, an assistant was promoted to head coach 21 times.
Their combined winning percentage: .432. One reached a Super Bowl. Eleven lasted fewer than 3 seasons.
But none had the situation Joe Brady inherited with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Their combined winning percentage: .432. One reached a Super Bowl. Eleven lasted fewer than 3 seasons.
But none had the situation Joe Brady inherited with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Internal hires usually don't succeed. Can Joe Brady and the Bills defy the odds?
From 2006 through 2024, 21 coaches were promoted from an assistant role to take over the team with whom they were employed the previous season. Their combined record and winning percentage: 360-472 (....
buffalonews.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Between 2006 and 2024 in the NFL, an assistant was promoted to head coach 21 times.
Their combined winning percentage: .432. One reached a Super Bowl. Eleven lasted fewer than 3 seasons.
But none had the situation Joe Brady inherited with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Their combined winning percentage: .432. One reached a Super Bowl. Eleven lasted fewer than 3 seasons.
But none had the situation Joe Brady inherited with the Bills.
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Trying out a different view
February 1, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Trying out a different view
If you had any doubt, Joe Brady showed during his first press conference as Bills coach that he's going to bring a different energy to the job.
What's next is more important than what we heard Thursday. My column on a solid first impression:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
What's next is more important than what we heard Thursday. My column on a solid first impression:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Lance Lysowski: Joe Brady will bring a 'new energy' to the Bills, but there are still unknowns
Joe Brady's success as a head coach of the Buffalo Bills will hinge on his ability to build the right staff and make smart in-game decisions, writes Lance Lysowski.
buffalonews.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:31 AM
If you had any doubt, Joe Brady showed during his first press conference as Bills coach that he's going to bring a different energy to the job.
What's next is more important than what we heard Thursday. My column on a solid first impression:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
What's next is more important than what we heard Thursday. My column on a solid first impression:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
A decision on Dalton Kincaid's 5th-year option doesn't need to be made until the spring, but Bills GM Brandon Beane said:
"I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t pick that up."
The Bills' mission is to help Kincaid stay healthy.
"I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t pick that up."
The Bills' mission is to help Kincaid stay healthy.
January 29, 2026 at 7:19 PM
A decision on Dalton Kincaid's 5th-year option doesn't need to be made until the spring, but Bills GM Brandon Beane said:
"I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t pick that up."
The Bills' mission is to help Kincaid stay healthy.
"I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t pick that up."
The Bills' mission is to help Kincaid stay healthy.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen on crutches and wearing a walking boot on his right foot at the press conference.
January 29, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Bills quarterback Josh Allen on crutches and wearing a walking boot on his right foot at the press conference.
The stage is set for Joe Brady's first press conference as the Bills' head coach.
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
The stage is set for Joe Brady's first press conference as the Bills' head coach.
Reposted by Lance Lysowski
By hiring Joe Brady, the Bills' top decision-makers are telling us the last head coach was holding them back.
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Lance Lysowski: Joe Brady has big shoes to fill. Bills fans have every reason to be skeptical
The résumé should have gotten Bills fans excited, yet the news of Joe Brady's promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach was met with anger and skepticism, Lance Lysowski writes. Who can blame...
buffalonews.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 PM
By hiring Joe Brady, the Bills' top decision-makers are telling us the last head coach was holding them back.
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
By hiring Joe Brady, the Bills' top decision-makers are telling us the last head coach was holding them back.
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Lance Lysowski: Joe Brady has big shoes to fill. Bills fans have every reason to be skeptical
The résumé should have gotten Bills fans excited, yet the news of Joe Brady's promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach was met with anger and skepticism, Lance Lysowski writes. Who can blame...
buffalonews.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 PM
By hiring Joe Brady, the Bills' top decision-makers are telling us the last head coach was holding them back.
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
We're going to find out if they were right.
My column on the case for Brady, what's next and the questions surrounding the hire:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Joe Brady's promotion to Bills head coach was met with frustration and skepticism, but there was no perfect replacement for Sean McDermott.
My column on Brandon Beane's big bet and what needs to happen next for Brady to be the right guy for the job:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
My column on Brandon Beane's big bet and what needs to happen next for Brady to be the right guy for the job:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Lance Lysowski: Joe Brady has big shoes to fill. Bills fans have every reason to be skeptical
The résumé should have gotten Bills fans excited, yet the news of Joe Brady's promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach was met with anger and skepticism, Lance Lysowski writes. Who can blame...
buffalonews.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Joe Brady's promotion to Bills head coach was met with frustration and skepticism, but there was no perfect replacement for Sean McDermott.
My column on Brandon Beane's big bet and what needs to happen next for Brady to be the right guy for the job:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
My column on Brandon Beane's big bet and what needs to happen next for Brady to be the right guy for the job:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Klint Kubiak is worth the wait for the Bills.
My column on why Brandon Beane and company should wait two weeks to interview the Seahawks OC for the head coaching job:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
My column on why Brandon Beane and company should wait two weeks to interview the Seahawks OC for the head coaching job:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Lance Lysowski: Bills should wait on hire to interview Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak
With each creative play call Sunday night in the NFC championship game, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak emerged as arguably the top available head coaching candidate.
buffalonews.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Klint Kubiak is worth the wait for the Bills.
My column on why Brandon Beane and company should wait two weeks to interview the Seahawks OC for the head coaching job:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
My column on why Brandon Beane and company should wait two weeks to interview the Seahawks OC for the head coaching job:
buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
Bills QB Josh Allen may need a procedure to fix the issue with his right foot, but it would not impact his attendance for the team's offseason program, said Brandon Beane.
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Bills QB Josh Allen may need a procedure to fix the issue with his right foot, but it would not impact his attendance for the team's offseason program, said Brandon Beane.
Bills GM Brandon Beane said he did not go "rogue" with the decision to claim Darius Slay.
McDermott and his staff were part of the process, and everyone decided to risk losing Ingram on waivers.
McDermott and his staff were part of the process, and everyone decided to risk losing Ingram on waivers.
January 21, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Bills GM Brandon Beane said he did not go "rogue" with the decision to claim Darius Slay.
McDermott and his staff were part of the process, and everyone decided to risk losing Ingram on waivers.
McDermott and his staff were part of the process, and everyone decided to risk losing Ingram on waivers.
Bills QB Josh Allen will have "some involvement" in the team's search for its next coach, said Brandon Beane.
January 21, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Bills QB Josh Allen will have "some involvement" in the team's search for its next coach, said Brandon Beane.
Bills owner Terry Pegula did not speak with QB Josh Allen before Sean McDermott got fired.
Pegula and Allen spoke afterwards, and the owner will keep that conversation private.
Pegula and Allen spoke afterwards, and the owner will keep that conversation private.
January 21, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Bills owner Terry Pegula did not speak with QB Josh Allen before Sean McDermott got fired.
Pegula and Allen spoke afterwards, and the owner will keep that conversation private.
Pegula and Allen spoke afterwards, and the owner will keep that conversation private.
Bills owner Terry Pegula on Keon Coleman, who's had a challenging two seasons: "The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon ..."
January 21, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Bills owner Terry Pegula on Keon Coleman, who's had a challenging two seasons: "The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon ..."
Bills owner Terry Pegula: "I felt like we hit the proverbial playoff wall ..."
January 21, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Bills owner Terry Pegula: "I felt like we hit the proverbial playoff wall ..."
Bills GM Brandon Beane: "Listen, I understand the frustrations out there. No one puts more pressure on me than myself."
January 21, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Bills GM Brandon Beane: "Listen, I understand the frustrations out there. No one puts more pressure on me than myself."
Bills owner Terry Pegula:
"My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver. ... I saw the pain in Josh's face at his presser and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get there."
"My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver. ... I saw the pain in Josh's face at his presser and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get there."
January 21, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Bills owner Terry Pegula:
"My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver. ... I saw the pain in Josh's face at his presser and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get there."
"My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver. ... I saw the pain in Josh's face at his presser and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get there."
Bills owner Terry Pegula, after thanking Sean McDermott, says:
"Sean has definitely left the Buffalo Bills in a better place ..."
"Sean has definitely left the Buffalo Bills in a better place ..."
January 21, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Bills owner Terry Pegula, after thanking Sean McDermott, says:
"Sean has definitely left the Buffalo Bills in a better place ..."
"Sean has definitely left the Buffalo Bills in a better place ..."
What kind of coach should the Bills hire to replace Sean McDermott?
Here are 7 qualities they should prioritize during the search:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Here are 7 qualities they should prioritize during the search:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Bills candidate checklist: 7 qualities to prioritize during the coaching search
Here's a checklist of seven traits the Bills must prioritize as Brandon Beane, newly promoted President of Business Operations Pete Guelli and owner Terry Pegula begin a coaching search that must end ...
buffalonews.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:40 PM
What kind of coach should the Bills hire to replace Sean McDermott?
Here are 7 qualities they should prioritize during the search:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
Here are 7 qualities they should prioritize during the search:
buffalonews.com/sports/profe...
The Bills signed the following players to reserve/future contracts:
DT Tommy Akingbesote
LB Jimmy Ciarlo
OT Travis Clayon
CB Te'Cory Couch
CB M.J. Devonshire
RB Frank Gore Jr.
WR Stephen Gosnell
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
LB Keonta Jenkins
DE Andre Jones Jr.
DT Zion Logue
CB Daryl Porter Jr.
DT Tommy Akingbesote
LB Jimmy Ciarlo
OT Travis Clayon
CB Te'Cory Couch
CB M.J. Devonshire
RB Frank Gore Jr.
WR Stephen Gosnell
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
LB Keonta Jenkins
DE Andre Jones Jr.
DT Zion Logue
CB Daryl Porter Jr.
January 19, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The Bills signed the following players to reserve/future contracts:
DT Tommy Akingbesote
LB Jimmy Ciarlo
OT Travis Clayon
CB Te'Cory Couch
CB M.J. Devonshire
RB Frank Gore Jr.
WR Stephen Gosnell
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
LB Keonta Jenkins
DE Andre Jones Jr.
DT Zion Logue
CB Daryl Porter Jr.
DT Tommy Akingbesote
LB Jimmy Ciarlo
OT Travis Clayon
CB Te'Cory Couch
CB M.J. Devonshire
RB Frank Gore Jr.
WR Stephen Gosnell
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
LB Keonta Jenkins
DE Andre Jones Jr.
DT Zion Logue
CB Daryl Porter Jr.