Cole Bishop reveals offseason surgery.
The Buffalo Bills are preparing to open training camp with several major questions in the secondary, but one of the most important answers appears to be positive.
Safety Cole Bishop says he is healthy and ready to return after missing much of the offseason program with a knee issue.
The third-year defensive back revealed that he had a procedure to clean up the knee during the offseason and now feels prepared to participate when the Bills report to training camp at St. John Fisher University.
For Buffalo, getting Bishop back at full strength is significant.
Cole Bishop Ready for Training Camp
Bishop discussed his recovery during an appearance on the Centered on Buffalo podcast and offered an encouraging update.
“Feeling good,” Bishop said. “Missed some time during OTAs, but been feeling like I’m in a good spot going into camp.”
That should come as a relief for a Bills defense that will look noticeably different in 2026.
Bishop missed valuable offseason practice time, but he emphasized that he has continued working closely with Buffalo’s strength and conditioning staff throughout the rehabilitation process.
Rather than dramatically changing his preparation, Bishop said he has trusted the program designed by the team.
That approach appears to have worked.
Barring an unexpected setback, he should be available when training camp begins Tuesday.
Bishop Became One of Buffalo’s Defensive Leaders
Bishop’s importance increased considerably last season.
After an inconsistent rookie campaign in 2024, the former second-round pick developed into a full-time starter and became one of Buffalo’s most productive defensive players.
He finished the season with a team-high 85 tackles and added three interceptions.
Those numbers reflected a major step forward.
More importantly, Bishop became increasingly comfortable handling responsibilities in the back end of Buffalo’s defense.
He played alongside veterans Jordan Poyer and Taylor Rapp, giving the Bills a safety group that combined experience with younger athleticism.
Now Bishop will be expected to take on even more responsibility.
Bills Secondary Looks Very Different
Buffalo underwent major changes in the secondary during the offseason.
Rapp was released as part of a salary-related move, while Poyer remains unsigned and could potentially be nearing the end of his NFL career.
Those departures leave Bishop as one of the most important returning pieces.
The Bills responded by adding veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone.
Gardner-Johnson brings considerable starting experience and a reputation for creating turnovers, while Stone gives Buffalo another veteran option capable of competing for meaningful snaps.
If healthy, Bishop and Gardner-Johnson appear likely to enter camp as the favorites to open the season as Buffalo’s starting safety combination.
That would give first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard an intriguing pairing.
Bishop provides youth and range.
Gardner-Johnson brings experience, aggression and versatility.
Together, they could become an important part of Buffalo’s defensive transition.
Safety Competition Could Be One of Camp’s Best Battles
The roster competition behind them should also be worth watching.
Buffalo brought back Damar Hamlin and Sam Franklin, both of whom have contributed extensively on special teams.
The Bills also have additional young options fighting for roster positions.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic recently projected Bishop and Gardner-Johnson as the likely starters if both remain healthy.
The more difficult question involves the final spots.
Franklin’s special-teams value could give him an advantage, while Stone’s guaranteed money may improve his chances of sticking on the roster.
Hamlin could therefore find himself in one of the more competitive battles of Buffalo’s training camp.
Depth at safety matters, particularly for a defense installing new concepts.
Leonhard may also value players capable of handling multiple roles rather than keeping traditional safeties with limited flexibility.
That makes every preseason snap important.
Bishop Could Be Key to Leonhard’s Defense
The coaching change adds another layer to Bishop’s development.
Leonhard arrives with a reputation for using defensive backs creatively, often disguising coverages and asking safeties to handle multiple responsibilities before and after the snap.
That could suit Bishop well.
His athleticism allows him to cover ground quickly, while his improved instincts last season showed that he can become more than simply a physical tackler.
A healthy Bishop could therefore become one of the most important players in Buffalo’s new defensive structure.
The Bills need him to communicate effectively, handle coverage responsibilities and help stabilize a secondary undergoing significant turnover.
That is a large responsibility for a third-year player.
But his 2025 performance suggests he may be ready for it.
Buffalo Could Still Add Familiar Veterans
The Bills may not be finished making changes.
Former cornerback Tre’Davious White remains available in free agency and has been mentioned as a possible reunion candidate.
Poyer has also generated speculation after sharing an image of himself wearing a Bills uniform on social media.
Neither move is guaranteed.
But Buffalo’s willingness to add experienced players could depend partly on how the secondary performs during the opening weeks of camp.
If the current group looks comfortable, the Bills may stay patient.
If injuries or inconsistent play emerge, general manager Brandon Beane could explore additional veteran help.
Bishop’s Health Is an Important Early Win
For now, Buffalo can take encouragement from Bishop’s recovery.
The knee issue kept him from getting a full offseason of practice, but there is no indication that it will prevent him from participating in camp.
That matters for a defense already dealing with major personnel and coaching changes.
Bishop entered the NFL with significant expectations.
After an uneven beginning, he started delivering on that promise last season.
Now the Bills need him to take another step.
With Poyer and Rapp no longer occupying their familiar roles, Bishop is no longer simply one of Buffalo’s young defensive backs.
He is becoming one of the leaders of the secondary.
And as training camp begins, the most important news may be that he appears healthy enough to embrace that responsibility immediately.