Bills Need to Get a Handle on This Troubling Stat Going Into 2026

The Buffalo Bills have a new head coach in Joe Brady, and they’re looking to build on the success that they had during the 2025-26 season but get to the big game this time.

If the Bills want to succeed next season, they’re going to have to fix a glaring issue. They’ll need to learn how to wrap up run plays.

In a Tuesday, May 12 story on each NFL team’s biggest weakness at this point in the season, Christian D’Andrea of USA Today’s For the Win makes that point.

More sports news: Kevin Byard Sounds Off on Potential AJ Brown Reunion With Patriots

“The Bills gave up nearly four full yards after contact per carry last season — last in the NFL and nearly 0.3 full yards more than the 31st place Atlanta Falcons,” she notes in the piece. “This was partially a product of backs running through defensive back arm tackles on the outside — only the Chicago Bears faced more outside runs — but it played a significant role in what turned out to be the league’s second-worst run defense.”

D’Andrea adds: “Modest help has arrived in the form of Bradley Chubb and TJ Parker, but sure-handed, block-shedding tacklers are needed.”

What the Buffalo Bills Have Going for Them in 2026

More sports news: Kirk Herbstreit Reveals the X-Factor Fernando Mendoza Brings to Raiders

While the Bills do have defensive issues that they need to clean up going into the new season, let’s not forget that this team had a strong 2025 season with a 12-5 record even counting those issues. Buffalo upgraded their secondary in free agency and the draft, and that will go a long way to take this team to the next level. The gem for this team is still Josh Allen and the offense, but the defense is well on its way to catching up.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 10:20 AM.