ESPN NFL News
How Bills rookie Bell handled Buffalo's first prac...
Open original episode ↗This transcript does not include audio timing.
Alaina GetzenbergMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseAlaina Getzenberg covers the Buffalo Bills for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2021. Alaina was previously a beat reporter for the Charlotte Observer and has also worked for CBS Sports and the Dallas Morning News. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.Multiple AuthorsORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Skyler Bell walked out for his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver last week for rookie minicamp. One of the first people on the field, he went over to a pylon by the end zone and prayed before practice.Why the pylon? It is the first thing he sees when he walks out and he "likes living in the end zone." Bell then looked around and took in the moment."I'm blessed to be here," Bell said. "It's a privilege to put on this uniform and be in the NFL. So, I just want to make the most of it and make people proud."The practices were the first opportunity for the team's 10 draft picks, recent undrafted free agent additions and tryout players to show what they can do for the team's new coaching staff.Bell showed some nerves on the field, struggling to cleanly secure the ball in a drill early in the minicamp.During routes on air drills, a couple passes dropped through Bell's hands, or he had to juggle the ball on an extra step to come down with it. After one of the drops, he dropped his head back in frustration and then returned to the line for another go.Some of the missed connections can be attributed to less experienced quarterbacks throwing the ball -- tryout players such as Brady Olson and Ta'Quan Roberson -- but the newness and gravity of the situation surely contributed.After one of the drops, coach Joe Brady, who was observing the drill, walked next to Bell as he walked back for another go."[Brady] was just telling me just to be myself, man, and stop overthinking. That's all it is with me," Bell said. "I was just in my head a little bit, getting jitters and things like that. So, he was just telling me, 'Man, just be yourself, man. We want you here. You're here for a reason, so just keep doing you.'"The fourth-round pick from the University of Connecticut had a smooth day once the team transitioned to 7-on-7 drills. He described it as getting in a flow at that point in the practice.First look at Bills WR Skyler Bell at rookie minicamp on Friday.He said that his first practice as a Bill was "surreal" and that he was nervous, but got in a flow once they got into 7-on-7 pic.twitter.com/lWreRzRIWc— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) May 8, 2026 The new head coach even gave Bell a little ribbing earlier in the day as the receiver accidentally wore his cleats up to the office."He was getting on me about that," Bell said, "but other than that, man, he's cool, man. I'm glad to be working with him."Excitement surrounds Bell, the only wide receiver selected by the Bills in the draft. It is a position that the fanbase focuses on hoping offseason acquisitions such as Bell and veteran DJ Moore push the group forward.Bell, 23, who attended his college graduation in the 48 hours after minicamp, was named a first-team All-American for a season in which he recorded 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Brady acknowledged after the draft that he was a player the Bills didn't expect to get where they did."The versatility; you always talk about having guys that can play outside, play inside," Brady said after the draft. "... You see him make the contested catches down the field. You see him take a screen behind the line of scrimmage and do a lot of good things with it. I think he has a unique skill set."Some other notable observations from rookie minicamp:The Bills' highest draft pick, outside linebacker T.J. Parker (No. 35), acknowledged the surrealness of the moment, and even practiced getting into his stance before he even walked onto the field.Fellow fourth-round pick linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr stood out. Coaches responded well to his performance during position drills. He also made a nice play in team drills, forcing the ball out of a tight end's hands.A fun connection is offensive lineman Bruno Fina, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Duke and started his college career at UCLA. Fina is the son of former Bills offensive lineman John Fina. John played for the Bills for 10 seasons, including two Super Bowl teams. Bruno said that he chose to sign with Buffalo because of the opportunity from a depth chart perspective, giving him the best opportunity to see the field. He described it as a "random coincidence" that happened to be the same team his dad played for. Before going out for the first day of rookie minicamp, Bruno did speak to his dad, who gave him pretty simple advice, "Do the little things right. Go make that team."The Bills are likely in the market for a kicker to add competition for Tyler Bass. Former Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo was not on the field for Friday's practice and was released Tuesday. President of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane said after the draft that the plan is to have competition at kicker and punter going into training camp.
Takes mentioned in this episode
- Buffalo Bills team · positive
“Excitement surrounds Bell, the only wide receiver selected by the Bills in the draft.”
The Buffalo Bills are showing excitement for their new rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell.
- DJ Moore player · positive
“...offseason acquisitions such as Bell and veteran DJ Moore push the group forward.”
DJ Moore is mentioned as a key veteran wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills.
- Bruno Fina player · positive
“A fun connection is offensive lineman Bruno Fina...”
Bruno Fina is noted for his performance and family connection to the team.
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr player · positive
“Fellow fourth-round pick linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr stood out.”
Kaleb Elarms-Orr is highlighted for his performance in position drills.
- T.J. Parker player · positive
“The Bills' highest draft pick, outside linebacker T.J. Parker (No. 35), acknowledged the surrealness of the moment...”
T.J. Parker is noted as a high-performing rookie draft pick.
- DJ Moore player · positive
“the fanbase focuses on hoping offseason acquisitions such as Bell and veteran DJ Moore push the group forward.”
DJ Moore is mentioned as a key veteran wide receiver for the Bills.
- Skyler Bell player · positive
“I'm blessed to be here... I just want to make the most of it and make people proud.”
Skyler Bell describes his feelings about joining the Buffalo Bills as a rookie wide receiver.
- Skyler Bell player · positive
“I'm blessed to be here. It's a privilege to put on this uniform and be in the NFL. So, I just want to make the most of it and make people proud.”
Bell expresses gratitude and enthusiasm about joining the Bills; demonstrates positive mindset and commitment.
- John Fina player · positive
“John played for the Bills for 10 seasons, including two Super Bowl teams.”
Mention of former Bills offensive lineman John Fina.
- Tyler Bass player · neutral
“The Bills are likely in the market for a kicker to add competition for Tyler Bass.”
Tyler Bass is mentioned as the current kicker facing potential competition.
- Joe Brady player · positive
“[Brady] was just telling me just to be myself, man, and stop overthinking.”
Coach Joe Brady provides encouragement to rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell during practice.
- Skyler Bell player · positive
“I'm blessed to be here... I just want to make the most of it and make people proud.”
Skyler Bell describes his feelings during his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver.
- Buffalo Bills team · positive
“The Bills are likely in the market for a kicker to add competition for Tyler Bass.”
Discussion of Buffalo Bills roster moves and rookie minicamp performance.
- Brandon Beane player · neutral
“President of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane said...”
Brandon Beane is mentioned in his role as GM.
- Maddux Trujillo player · neutral
“Former Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo was not on the field for Friday's practice and was released Tuesday.”
Maddux Trujillo is mentioned as a recently released player.
- Skyler Bell player · positive
“The fourth-round pick from the University of Connecticut had a smooth day once the team transitioned to 7-on-7 drills. He described it as getting in a flow at that point in the practice.”
Bell recovered from early struggles and performed well in 7-on-7 drills, demonstrating ability to adjust and improve within a single practice.
- Bruno Fina player · neutral
“offensive lineman Bruno Fina, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent”
offensive lineman Bruno Fina, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent
- Skyler Bell player · positive
“Skyler Bell walked out for his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver”
Skyler Bell walked out for his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver
- DJ Moore player · positive
“veteran DJ Moore push the group forward”
offseason acquisitions such as Bell and veteran DJ Moore push the group forward
- T.J. Parker player · neutral
“outside linebacker T.J. Parker (No. 35)”
The Bills' highest draft pick, outside linebacker T.J. Parker (No. 35)
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr player · positive
“Fellow fourth-round pick linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr stood out”
Fellow fourth-round pick linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr stood out
- Buffalo Bills team · neutral
“Skyler Bell walked out for his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver”
Skyler Bell walked out for his first practice as a Buffalo Bills wide receiver
- John Fina player · neutral
“former Bills offensive lineman John Fina”
Fina is the son of former Bills offensive lineman John Fina
- Tyler Bass player · neutral
“competition for Tyler Bass”
The Bills are likely in the market for a kicker to add competition for Tyler Bass
- Maddux Trujillo player · neutral
“Former Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo”
Former Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo was not on the field for Friday's practice
- Skyler Bell player · neutral
“During routes on air drills, a couple passes dropped through Bell's hands, or he had to juggle the ball on an extra step to come down with it. After one of the drops, he dropped his head back in frustration and then returned to the line for another go.”
Bell struggled with ball security early in rookie minicamp drills, showing signs of nerves and overthinking.
- Joe Brady coach · positive
“The versatility; you always talk about having guys that can play outside, play inside. You see him make the contested catches down the field. You see him take a screen behind the line of scrimmage and do a lot of good things with it. I think he has a unique skill set.”
Brady praises Bell's versatility and skill set, noting the player has abilities the coaching staff values.
- Brady Olson player · neutral
“Some of the missed connections can be attributed to less experienced quarterbacks throwing the ball -- tryout players such as Brady Olson...”
Brady Olson is mentioned as a less experienced quarterback during rookie minicamp.
- Ta'Quan Roberson player · neutral
“...tryout players such as Brady Olson and Ta'Quan Roberson...”
Ta'Quan Roberson is mentioned alongside Brady Olson as a tryout player quarterback.
- Joe Brady player · positive
“[Brady] was just telling me just to be myself, man, and stop overthinking.”
Coach Joe Brady provides guidance to Skyler Bell during practice.