Bills sign undrafted Buffalo native after successful rookie minicamp tryout

The Buffalo Bills have signed linebacker Joe Andreessen to a one-year contract after the defender impressed throughout the two-day 2024 rookie minicamp. The team announced the signing Saturday night.

Andreessen was one of 26 tryout players vying for a spot on Buffalo’s 90-man roster during the offseason at rookie minicamp. With Andreessen’s signature, the team’s roster now numbers 90 players.

According to the Bills’ official website, Andreessen is from Depew, New York, a village of about 15,000 people east of Buffalo proper. A local product, Andreessen played college football for the University at Buffalo during the 2023 season, tallying 90 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and one sack for the Bulls.

Andreessen transferred to UB after playing five seasons for the Bryant Bulldogs, a Division 1 FCS program based in Smithfield, RI. He finished his Bryant career with 256 tackles, seven sacks and five interceptions, twice earning first-team All-NEC honors.

He was deployed from numerous positions at UB, scoring snaps on the defensive line and in the slot in addition to linebacker last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also a force on special teams, particularly in punt coverage.

As a 6-foot-1 small-school linebacker, Andreessen faces an uphill roster battle; he will compete with fifth-round pick Edefuan Ulofoshio and free agent signing Nicholas Morrow for a depth role and spot on special teams. There is little precedent for former University at Buffalo players staying with the Bills; Andreessen joins Cam Lewis and Ja’Marcus Ingram as former Bulls currently on Buffalo’s roster.