The 2026 Buffalo Bills season is nearly here, and for several players on the roster, the stakes feel especially high. On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran breaks down six Bills players who could be facing pivotal, potentially do-or-die seasons. Whether they're fighting to prove themselves, secure their starting job, earn a new contract or establish their long-term future in Buffalo, each has plenty riding on the upcoming campaign. Patrick starts with Keon Coleman, who enters his third NFL season looking to put two inconsistent years behind him. After a promising summer and training camp, can Coleman finally become the reliable playmaker Buffalo envisioned when drafting him? Dalton Kincaid also has major stakes attached to this season. Staying healthy and producing at a high level could position the talented tight end for a significant contract extension and potentially take Buffalo's already dangerous offense to another level. At linebacker, both Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams have plenty to prove. Bernard needs to stay healthy and recapture the impact he displayed earlier in his career, while Williams could be battling not only for a starting role but also for his next NFL contract. Then there's Tyler Bass. Buffalo has continued showing confidence in its veteran kicker, but Patrick explains why Bass may need a strong season to remain part of the team's long-term plans—and why his performance could ultimately have a huge impact on Buffalo's championship aspirations. Finally, Patrick discusses Max Hairston and the pressure surrounding the former first-round pick. Hairston possesses elite speed and intriguing playmaking ability, but questions about injuries, physicality and consistency make his second season one worth watching closely. Before getting into the main topic, Patrick also discusses Josh Allen finishing among the NFL Top 100's final two players and why Bills fans should appreciate having one of football's premier players in his prime. Key Takeaways Keon Coleman faces a pivotal third season after an inconsistent first two years, but a strong 2026 could quickly change the conversation surrounding him. Dalton Kincaid has major financial incentive to break out, with a healthy and productive season potentially positioning him for a lucrative extension. Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams face significant competition at linebacker, with playing time and their longer-term futures potentially at stake. Tyler Bass needs to reward Buffalo's continued faith in him, especially with the possibility that a critical Bills game could eventually come down to his leg. Max Hairston enters Year 2 under pressure to stay healthy, become more consistent and solidify himself as Buffalo's starting cornerback opposite Christian Benford. Today’s episode is brought to you by the law offices of William Mattar. Hurt in a car, call William Mattar. 444-4444. Call William Mattar today to get the compensation you deserve. The Talking Buffalo online merch store is now live! You can purchase t shirts, hoodies, zip ups, crewnecks and polos in a couple of different styles and colors. Visit our online page for pricing and options and while there, check out Buf on Weck for tons of cool gear! Please be sure to subscribe to Talking Buffalo on the audio side, even if you usually watch the show via YouTube. Several of the links to follow Talking Buffalo can be found right here. Also if you’re not yet subscribed to Talking Buffalo on YouTube, please do so and be sure to hit the LIKE button on the videos, it really helps with the algorithm! ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack Twitter: @PatrickMoranTB Blue Sky: @PatrickMoranTB.bsky.social Instagram: @PatrickMoranTB Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.