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Bills Reward Hometown Fan Favorite Joe Andreessen With New Contract
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- Bills Reward Hometown Fan Favorite Joe Andreessen With New Contract
The Buffalo Bills are making sure one of their most popular players isn't going anywhere.
Buffalo agreed to a two-year contract extension with linebacker Joe Andreessen on Saturday, keeping the Western New York native with the team through the 2028 season. The deal is reportedly worth $5 million with $3 million guaranteed.
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For Andreessen, the new contract is another chapter in one of the more unique stories on Buffalo's roster.
Buffalo Joe is staying home
Andreessen's journey to a second contract with the Bills is anything but typical.
The 26-year-old joined Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after earning a spot through the team's rookie minicamp. The Lancaster native attended Lancaster High School before finishing his college career at the University at Buffalo.
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Three seasons later, he's established himself as one of the Bills' most important special teams players.
Andreessen has appeared in 33 games for Buffalo, making three starts while recording 34 tackles and three tackles for loss. He's also accumulated 32 special teams tackles during his career.
The special teams production has been particularly impressive. Andreessen led Buffalo with 21 special teams tackles in 2025, finishing tied for fourth in the NFL. Through three games this season, he already has five special teams tackles, tied for fifth in the league.
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Now, the Bills have rewarded him with some long-term security.
Andreessen provides more than special team value
While Andreessen has made his name on special teams, his value extends beyond that role.
The linebacker has also become reliable depth behind Buffalo's starting inside linebackers and gives the coaching staff another option when injuries force players into larger roles.
That versatility is part of what makes the contract appealing for Buffalo.
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According to Sports Illustrated, Andreessen was originally set to become a restricted free agent after the 2026 season. By extending him now, the Bills avoid having to deal with that situation next offseason while retaining a player who has already proven himself within their system.
The reported $5 million deal, including $3 million guaranteed, also gives Buffalo another relatively inexpensive piece of its linebacker and special teams units.
For a team with plenty of important contracts to navigate in the coming years, that kind of cost-controlled depth can be valuable.
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Bills reward player who earned it
The extension is ultimately a reflection of how far Andreessen has come.
He wasn't a highly touted draft pick or a player guaranteed a roster spot. Instead, he earned his opportunity, carved out a role on special teams and continued improving until Buffalo decided he was worth keeping beyond his original contract.
Now he'll get to continue doing it in his hometown.
Andreessen's extension also provides the Bills with stability at a position where depth remains important. He's not expected to suddenly become the centerpiece of Buffalo's defense, but the Bills know exactly what they're getting from him.
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For "Buffalo Joe," that's more than enough.
He went from an undrafted local player fighting for a roster spot to earning a multi-year contract with the team he grew up around. Now, he'll remain in Buffalo through 2028.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
