Will Bills starters play in preseason opener? Joe Brady answers

The Buffalo Bills will open their exhibition slate on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium.

The 1 p.m. kickoff is the first time there will be a full football game played at the new venue and start of Joe Brady’s tenure as head coach. But there is always an age-old question that surrounds the preseason: Will starters play?

Those players that are battling for starting positions will naturally be trotted out there, we’re talking names such as quarterback Josh Allen.

Brady confirmed on Thursday that first teamers, Allen included, will get a go.

“Everybody that’s healthy today is going to be playing,” Brady said.

Earlier this week, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard had already confirmed that starters on defense will get a go as well. That is less surprising, though.

Leonhard is in his first year as Buffalo’s DC and brings a new scheme to the team. It will be important for everyone on that side of the ball to get their feet wet before the start of the regular season.

“It’s going to be exciting for guys get out there and just kind of let it rip,” the Bills’ Leonhard said via video conference. “Obviously in Preseason 1, it’s gonna be pretty straightforward and you just want to see who can go out there and execute and finish.”

For more from Brady, see the attached clip below:

Joe Brady on the players that will play in the first preseason match against the Panthers:🔵🔴⚪️

“Everybody that’s healthy today is going to be playing” #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/SVIIsIAWMi

— SleeperBills (@SleeperBills) August 13, 2026

Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Will Bills starters play in preseason opener? Joe Brady answers