Fan-Favorite Bills Linebacker Named ‘Surprise’ Player for 2025

Joe Andreessen had an unlikely path to the Buffalo Bills roster last year, starting as a little-heralded local player and eventually working his way into a significant role.

The 25-year-old could be on his way to an even bigger role in the coming season, with one team insider naming him the potential “surprise” player for the 2025 season. He is looking to expand his role on defense in the coming season, with a potential opportunity to work his way up the depth chart.

From Lancaster to Orchard Park

Andreessen came to the Bills with little hype in 2024, coming to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and earning a contract to return for training camp. He continued to impress, eventually earning his way onto the final 52-man roster.

The linebacker mostly saw time on special teams, playing a bit during blowouts and in the team’s final game of the regular season. As ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg noted, Andreessen could find a bigger role next season.

“Largely a special teams player as a rookie last year, Andreessen was signed after trying out at rookie minicamp, and he then earned a roster spot. He made a significant statement going into his second season with his performance during the mandatory minicamp,” Getzenberg wrote.

Andreessen’s ability to stay healthy and available was a big asset last year, she wrote. If he can continue to stay healthy, it could give him more opportunities to move up the depth chart.

“Availability is something the Bills emphasize, and Andreessen saw increased time during team drills, in part due to Baylon Spector’s injury,” Getzenberg wrote. “He made multiple notable plays, including picking off Josh Allen. And he put himself in a good position to compete for the backup middle linebacker job.”

Andreessen finished the season with 26 total tackles in 13 games with one start. He could have the chance to move into a bigger role this season as the Bills largely left their linebacking corps intact from last season. Though the team invested significant draft capital on their defense, they worked mostly on improving the defensive line and secondary.

Fans Loved ‘Buffalo Joe’

Andreessen quickly became popular with fans, who watched his high school career at nearby Lancaster. He didn’t earn much buzz coming out of high school, taking his only Division I offer at Bryant University.

Though Andreessen set Bryant’s single-season record with 116 tackles in 2022, he again had only one offer when he looked to transfer the following season. It happened to be with his hometown team, the University of Buffalo, where the Bills coaching staff was able to see his ability.

Andreessen was popular with fans during training camp and earned the nickname “Buffalo Joe,” turning in some standout performances during the preseason. Andreessen led the team with 12 tackles in the team’s second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and added another eight in the finale against the Carolina Panthers.

He was one of three Bills players on last year’s team from the University of Buffalo, joining reserve cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram and versatile defensive back Cam Lewis.