The 2023 season was the Buffalo Bills' 64th season as a franchise, their 54th in the National Football League (NFL), their ninth full season under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula, and their seventh under the head coach/general manager tandem of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane.
Despite a midseason slump that resulted in the team failing to match their franchise-best 13–3 record from the previous season and the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after 10 games, the Bills went on a late season surge. They would go from 6–6 at their bye week to winning all five of their final games of the regular season. They clinched their fifth consecutive winning season with a Week 16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, and later clinched their fifth consecutive playoff appearance and sixth in seven seasons after the Jacksonville Jaguars lost in Week 18. The Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins later that day to win their fourth consecutive AFC East title, overcoming a three-game Miami lead in the final five weeks. This marked the first time that the Bills had won four consecutive division titles since the 1988–1991 teams.
The Bills would go on defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–17 in the wildcard round, winning a playoff game for the fourth consecutive year. However, the Bills’ late season resurgence came to an end when they were defeated at home by the eventual back-to-back Super Bowl champion, Kansas City Chiefs, 27–24 in the Divisional Round, after an attempted game tying field goal by Tyler Bass went wide right. This marked the Bills' third consecutive loss in the Divisional Round and the third time in four seasons that they were eliminated by the Chiefs.
The Buffalo Bills drew an average home attendance of 69,609 in 9 home games in the 2023 NFL season.
Transactions
Arrivals Position Player 2022 team(s) Date signed Notes S Zayne Anderson Kansas City Chiefs February 17, 2023 2 years / $1.995 million QB Kyle Allen Houston Texans March 16, 2023 1 year / $1.2325 million WR Deonte Harty New Orleans Saints March 16, 2023 2 years / $9.5 million G Connor McGovern Dallas Cowboys March 16, 2023 3 years / $22.35 million WR Trent Sherfield Miami Dolphins March 20, 2023 1 year / $1.77 million RB Damien Harris New England Patriots March 21, 2023 1 year / $1.77 million G David Edwards Los Angeles Rams March 23, 2023 1 year / $1.77 million S Taylor Rapp Los Angeles Rams March 31, 2023 1 year / $1.77 million G Kevin Jarvis Detroit Lions April 14, 2023 1 year / $ .75 million RB Latavius Murray New Orleans Saints / Denver Broncos May 1, 2023 1 year / $1.3175 million DT Poona Ford Seattle Seahawks May 2, 2023 1 year / $2.25 million DE Kameron Cline Indianapolis Colts May 5, 2023 1 year / $ .87 million DE Shane Ray Toronto Argonauts May 13, 2023 1 year / $1.08 million LB Travin Howard Los Angeles Rams May 13, 2023 1 year / $1.01 million OT Brandon Shell Miami Dolphins June 1, 2023 1 year / $1.3175 million WR Marcell Ateman Arizona Cardinals June 1, 2023 1 year / $ .94 million DE Leonard Floyd Los Angeles Rams June 6, 2023 1 year / $7 million CB Cameron Dantzler Minnesota Vikings June 7, 2023 1 year / $1.01 million TE Nick Guggemos Green Bay Packers June 15, 2023 1 year / $ .75 million RB Darrynton Evans Chicago Bears July 25, 2023 1 year / $ .94 million TE Jace Sternberger Pittsburgh Steelers July 25, 2023 1 year / $1.01 million CB Kyron Brown Dallas Cowboys / Tennessee Titans July 28, 2023 1 year / $ .94 million WR Andy Isabella Arizona Cardinals / Baltimore Ravens July 28, 2023 1 year / $1.08 million OT Garrett McGhin New Jersey Generals / New York Giants August 21, 2023 1 year / $ .87 million RB Ty Johnson New York Jets August 21, 2023 1 year / $1.08 million OT Germain Ifedi Atlanta Falcons August 30, 2023 1 year / $1.165 million CB Herb Miller Cleveland Browns October 3, 2023 1 year / $ .216 million CB Josh Norman Carolina Panthers October 10, 2023 1 year / $ .3708 million DT Andrew Brown Arizona Cardinals / Chicago Bears October 11, 2023 1 year / $ .216 million RB Leonard Fournette Tampa Bay Buccaneers October 31, 2023 1 year / $ .2898 million DT Linval Joseph Philadelphia Eagles November 2, 2023 1 year / $1.165 million
Departures Position Player 2023 team Date signed Notes WR John Brown — Free Agent Contracts expired January 22, 2023 RB Duke Johnson — Free Agent DE Mike Love — Free Agent OT Justin Murray Las Vegas Raiders February 2, 2023 1 year / $1.08 million RB Taiwan Jones New York Giants August 31, 2023 Contracts expired March 15, 2023 WR Jake Kumerow — Free Agent G Rodger Saffold New York Jets October 31, 2023 LB Tremaine Edmunds Chicago Bears March 15, 2023 4 years / $72 million WR Isaiah McKenzie Indianapolis Colts March 22, 2023 Released March 17, 2023 QB Case Keenum Houston Texans March 17, 2023 2 years / $6.25 million S Jaquan Johnson Las Vegas Raiders March 21, 2023 1 year / $1.2325 million RB Devin Singletary Houston Texans March 21, 2023 1 year / $2.75 million WR Jamison Crowder New York Giants March 23, 2023 1 year / $1.3175 million TE Tommy Sweeney New York Giants March 23, 2023 1 year / $1.08 million G Greg Van Roten Las Vegas Raiders May 19, 2023 1 year / $1.6 million WR Cole Beasley New York Giants July 21, 2023 1 year / $1.165 million DT Brandin Bryant New York Giants July 24, 2023 Released June 1, 2023 CB Kyler McMichael Arizona Cardinals June 8, 2023 Released June 7, 2023 OT Bobby Hart Detroit Lions August 7, 2023 1 year / $1.165 million S Jared Mayden — Free Agent Released August 27, 2023 G Ike Boettger Indianapolis Colts September 12, 2023 Released August 29, 2023 S Dean Marlowe Los Angeles Chargers August 31, 2023 OT David Quessenberry Minnesota Vikings August 30, 2023
Trades Position Arrived From Date of trade Departed DE 2025 6th-round pick New York Giants August 29, 2023 Carlos Basham Jr. 2025 7th-round pick CB Rasul Douglas 2024 5th-round pick Green Bay Packers October 31, 2023 2024 3rd-round pick (91st overall; Ty'Ron Hopper)
Draft
+ 2023 Buffalo Bills draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 25 Dalton Kincaid TE Utah From Jaguars 27 Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars 2 59 O'Cyrus Torrence G Florida 3 91 Dorian Williams LB Tulane 4 130 Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars 5 137 Traded to the Washington Commanders From Cardinals 150 Justin Shorter WR Florida From Commanders 162 Traded to the Indianapolis Colts 6 205 Traded to the Houston Texans 215 Traded to the Los Angeles Rams From Commanders 7 230 Nick Broeker G Ole Miss From Texans 245 Traded to the Atlanta Falcons 252 Alex Austin CB Oregon State From Rams Draft trades
Undrafted free agents + 2023 Buffalo Bills undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. D. J. Dale DT Alabama Richard Gouraige OT Florida Jordan Mims RB Fresno State Isaiah Bowser Central Florida Joel Wilson TE Central Michigan Braydon Johnson WR Oklahoma State Tyrell Shavers San Diego State Bryan Thompson Arizona State Jalen Wayne South Alabama DaShaun White LB Oklahoma
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Indianapolis Colts W 23–19 1–0 Highmark Stadium Recap 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 15–27 1–1 Acrisure Stadium Recap 3 at Chicago Bears W 24–21 2–1 Soldier Field Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at New York Jets L 16–22 0–1 MetLife Stadium Recap 2 September 17 Las Vegas Raiders W 38–10 1–1 Highmark Stadium Recap 3 September 24 at Washington Commanders W 37–3 2–1 FedExField Recap 4 October 1 Miami Dolphins W 48–20 3–1 Highmark Stadium Recap 5 October 8 Jacksonville Jaguars L 20–25 3–2 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Recap 6 October 15 New York Giants W 14–9 4–2 Highmark Stadium Recap 7 October 22 at New England Patriots L 25–29 4–3 Gillette Stadium Recap 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 24–18 5–3 Highmark Stadium Recap 9 November 5 at Cincinnati Bengals L 18–24 5–4 Paycor Stadium Recap 10 Denver Broncos L 22–24 5–5 Highmark Stadium Recap 11 November 19 New York Jets W 32–6 6–5 Highmark Stadium Recap 12 November 26 at Philadelphia Eagles L 34–37 6–6 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 13Bye 14 December 10 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–17 7–6 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 15 December 17 Dallas Cowboys W 31–10 8–6 Highmark Stadium Recap 16 at Los Angeles Chargers W 24–22 9–6 SoFi Stadium Recap 17 December 31 New England Patriots W 27–21 10–6 Highmark Stadium Recap 18 January 7 at Miami Dolphins W 21–14 11–6 Hard Rock Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: at New York Jets
In the first quarter, new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture after being sacked by Bills linebacker Leonard Floyd on the Jets fourth play from scrimmage. The Bills led 13–3 at halftime, but quarterback Josh Allen struggled, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble to tie his career-high record in turnovers. After receiving the ball to start overtime, Buffalo's offense went three-and-out, and their ensuing punt was returned by the Jets' Xavier Gipson for a game-winning touchdown.
With the loss, the Bills fell to 0–1. This is their second straight loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Week 2: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 3: at Washington Commanders
The Bills defense dominated the Commanders, sacking quarterback Sam Howell nine times in the game and forcing five turnovers en route to a 37–3 victory.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins
Despite a close first quarter, the Bills dominated a Miami Dolphins team that had scored 70 points the previous week against the Denver Broncos, limiting Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offense to three touchdowns while Josh Allen attained his first career perfect passer rating and scored five overall touchdowns. With the 48–20 win, Buffalo improved to 3–1 and took the division lead.
Safety Damar Hamlin made his first regular season appearance since his cardiac arrest in Week 17 of the previous season. He was met with a warm welcome and resounding cheers by the Buffalo crowd. Unfortunately, star cornerback Tre'Davious White suffered an Achilles tendon injury and was carted off the field in the third quarter.
Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL London games
With the loss in London, not only did Buffalo fall to 3–2, but defensive starters DaQuan Jones and Matt Milano both suffered injuries that required surgery. They both joined White on injured reserve.
Week 6: vs. New York Giants
Former Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who notably helped break the Bills' 17-year playoff drought in his final season with the team, started for the Giants in place of Daniel Jones, making this his first start against the Bills. In addition, former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, now head coach of the Giants, and other former Bills such as Isaiah Hodgins, Boogie Basham, and Matt Breida participated in their first game against Buffalo since their departure. The Bills won the game after trailing 6–0 going into the fourth quarter, marking the first time since 1987 that the Bills had won a game after being shutout for the first three quarters of a game.
Week 7: at New England Patriots
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals