Buffalo Bills: 2025 Roster, Players, Schedule, Super Bowl Wins and More

The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team in the American Football Conference (AFC) East of the NFL. Particularly infamous for their remarkable four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993, a unique feat in NFL history. "The Bills Mafia", as the fans of the Buffalo Bills lovingly call themselves, are a passionate and dedicated fan base known for their intense loyalty and charitable efforts. 

They are the only NFL club that plays its home games in the state of New York. The franchise is owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, who picked up the majority ownership tag following the death of the original owner, Ralph Wilson, back in 2014.

Historical Background of the Buffalo Bills

Founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), and joined the ranks of the NFL in 1970 following the NFL-AFL merger. The team was named the Buffalo Bills after a fan contest, inspired by Buffalo Bill Cody, a famous Wild West showman. The Bills claimed two AFL championships in 1964 and 1965 before the Super Bowl era. Highmark Stadium, the Bills' home stadium, located in Orchard Park, New York, has been their base since 1973. Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the team in 2014 for a whopping $1.4 billion. Even out-biding current President Donald Trump and Jon Bon Jovi in the process. 

This all-cash purchase was the highest NFL purchase in history back then. The Pegula family also owns the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL, reinforcing their commitment to Buffalo sports. The team actively engages in community efforts through the Buffalo Bills Foundation, supporting education, youth sports, and community wellness.

Notable Milestones and Achievements

The Bills reached Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII (1990-1993), a record in NFL history.

• The men in Red and Blue secured two AFL titles before the merger in 1964 and 1965.
• Hall of Famers like Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, and Andre Reed played key roles in the team's dominance during the early '90s.
• True to their Mafia image, the Bills have quite the reputation of staging the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history. Overcoming a 32-point deficit against the Houston Oilers in 1993.

• The 2020 campaign of the Buffalo Bills was a resounding success as they improved on their 2019 record of 10-6 by finishing off the regular season with a 13-3 run, placing 1st in the AFC East.
• The Bills beat the Colts 27-24 in the Wild Card Playoffs as well as the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens 17-3.
• However, the Bills lost the AFC championship match-up to the Kansas City Chiefs 24-28 and faltered to turn in a trip to the Super Bowl.

Major Rivalries of the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills' rivalry with the Miami Dolphins is considered the most famous rivalry.  The rivalry first gained prominence when the Dolphins won every matchup against the Bills in the 1970s for an NFL-record 20 straight wins against a single opponent. And the Bills defeated the Dolphins in their first match-up of the 1980s.  While the Bills' rivalry with the New England Patriots began when both teams were original franchises in the American Football League (AFL), prior to the NFL–AFL merger. However, it did not gain notability until the emergence of New England quarterback Tom Brady in 2001. The teams were very competitive prior to the 2000s. However, Brady's arrival in the early 2000s led to the Patriots dominating the AFC East, including the Bills, for two decades. As a result, New England replaced the Dolphins as Buffalo's most hated rival.

The Bills and Jets were both original AFL teams, and both represent the state of New York, though the Jets have played their home games in East Rutherford, New Jersey since 1984. And while the rivalry represents the differences between New York City and Western New York, it has historically not been as intense as Buffalo's rivalries with the Dolphins and Patriots. When not playing one another, the teams' fan bases either have grudging respect or low-key annoyance for each other. The Kansas City Chiefs, another original franchise in the AFL, have a long history against the Bills, despite the two teams never being in the same division. Buffalo currently leads the series 30–26–1, which has included seven playoff meetings, four of which were AFL/AFC Championship Games.

Major contracts of the Buffalo Bills in 2025

The Buffalo Bills boast a total cap space of$283,187,220 as well as a cap space of $662,978, along with a dead cap of $29,421,258.

• Recently, Josh Allen signed a  6-year, $330M extension with $250 million guaranteed. The most in NFL history.
• DE Greg Rousseau inked a 4-year, $80,000,000 deal with $54,000,000 guaranteed.

• In 2024,  a 4-year $72,000,000 deal with Spencer Brown.
• A 4-year, $68,000,000 deal with Ed Oliver in 2023.
• A 5-year $100,000,000 extension with Amari Cooper in 2020.

Notable Coaches and Players

• Marv Levy is a Hall of Fame head coach who guided the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993.
• Jim Kelly is a Legendary Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Bills' high-powered "K-Gun" offense during their dominant AFC reign.

• Bruce Smith is the NFL's all-time sack leader and a cornerstone of the Bills' formidable defense in the 1990s.

• Thurman Thomas is a Hall of Fame running back and offensive powerhouse known for his versatility in both rushing and receiving.
• Andre Reed is a prolific wide receiver and Hall of Famer recognized for his clutch performances and consistent production.
• O.J. Simpson is a Hall of Fame running back who became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973.
• Sean McDermott is the current head coach credited with revitalizing the franchise and leading the Bills back to consistent playoff contention.

Who are the starters for the 2025 season?

Schedule

The Buffalo Bills will be squaring off against some of their fiercest to newest rivals. The Bills have quite a season ahead of them.

The HOME Games Scheduled for the Buffalo Bills are:

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• New Orleans Saints
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The AWAY games schedule for the Buffalo Bills is:

• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Cleveland Browns
• Houston Texans
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Will Bills Mafia prevail?