What to watch for in Bills at Steelers preseason matchup

The Buffalo Bills will take on the Steelers on Saturday at 7 pm EST after holding joint practice this week in Pittsburgh.

After getting thumped last weekend versus the Bears, the Bills will look to right the ship and fix mistakes in their second preseason game.

Here are some storylines that Bills fans should look out for this Saturday:

Outside Linebacker
Matt Milano is out indefinitely. Which linebacker will step up and take his spot?

Dorian Williams seems to have the inside track, but his coverage skills are shaky at best. Deion Jones was amongst the best linebackers in the NFL but hasn’t been impactful since 2021.

Baylon Spector plays well when he’s healthy, but once again he’s out with an injury.

There is an open audition for linebacker and it begins Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Play of Mitch Trubisky
The play of Bills second-string quarterback Mitch Trubisky was concerning last Saturday versus the Bears.

It was apparent on his first possession after missing a wide-open Quintin Morris that it would be a long day for Trubisky. Mitch would go on to go 10/18 for 82 yards with a 67.4 passer rating.

If the seven-year veteran doesn’t show more command against second and third-string defenses over the next two preseason games, then it may be time to consider searching the free agent quarterback market for another backup quarterback.

Improved running back play
Four Bills running backs had carries on Saturday—James Cook, Ray Davis, Frank Gore, and Darrynton Evans. Combined, this group averaged 1.89 yards per carry.

Was it because the Bears had an extra game under their belt? Was it because of the Bills’ blocking scheme?

James Cook and Ray Davis had a total of 9 combined carries for 4 yards—these are the top-2 projected Bills running backs this season and for Joe Brady’s offense to hum, the running game must be effective.

The Bears also had the best rushing defense in the league in 2023 and had already played a preseason game before facing the Bills.

Look for the Bills coaching staff to accent the rushing attack versus the Steelers on Saturday.

WR 5 and WR 6 on the roster
Will the Bills carry five or six wide receivers on their 53-man roster? That seems to be one of the bigger questions heading into the regular season.

In 2023, the Bills only carried five receivers. With no overwhelming candidate to overtake a sixth spot this season, they might go with this again.

Throughout training camp, Tyrell Shavers and KJ Hamler were the darlings to beat out Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Chase Claypool.

However, Shavers and Hamler disappointed last weekend versus the Bears, and their roster stock may have gone down.

Could Andy Isabella now be the dark horse to be the Bills’ sixth receiver because of his return abilities? Saturday’s game versus the Steelers should tell us a lot.

Rookie class of ’24
Brandon Beane’s 2024 draft class may end up being one of his best and there is a good chance that all nine drafted (not including international pick Travis Clayton) will make the Bills squad.

The clear-cut drafted rookies to make the squad are Keon Coleman, Cole Bishop, Ray Davis, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Javon Solomon, Dewayne Carter, and Daequan Hardy. All these players, if not starting, will see significant rotational play.

Drafted rookies in question to make the 53-man roster include linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio, who has dealt with injuries as of late, and Tylan Grable, who is battling for a spot in a crowded offensive line room and also has sustained injuries as of late.

It will be fun to see how far along Javon Solomon, Dewayne Carter, Daequan Hardy and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger are on Saturday as they should all receive significant playing time.

Field goal kicking
Which Tyler Bass will we see on Saturday? The Tyler Bass who hit two field goals in windy conditions in his first preseason game last week, or the Tyler Bass who has been inconsistent during training camp?