Last season, the Bills opted to cancel the final day of mandatory minicamp practices. This year, Buffalo decided one more practice before a long break would be beneficial for everyone because of the volume of new players on the roster.
"Obviously there's a high percentage of new players, new faces, so the more reps we can get the better," McDermott said Thursday. "I appreciate the players willingness and their attitude when they went out there. Not all teams are practicing on the third day of minicamp, and I appreciated their attitude."
Before hitting the field for their final practice, McDermott also spoke to the team about why he felt it was necessary to have one more day of practice.
"He made a statement saying I think around 40% of our team is still new," cornerback Kaiir Elam shared. "I think from where we started at from the first OTA practice to now, I feel like we have gotten way, way, way cleaner. And when you know what you're doing, you can play a lot faster. So, I feel like the effort was a lot better too than when we first started."
One of several players who has tried to make the most of every practice is Buffalo's second-round pick in wide receiver Keon Coleman. General manager Brandon Beane said the playmaker been diligent this offseason.
"I think Keon's worked hard," Beane said. "Like anything, a college playbook versus an NFL playbook, (there's a) big difference. The verbiage, where he's lining up, all the variances he's got to do…he's gonna have bumps in the road. He's a rookie, and I think we all need to understand that. But I think him and Josh are working on that rapport that's going to be necessary between quarterback and receiver."
The last month has also been important for all of the team building opportunities that arise. Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones said the defensive line group outings over the course of the month to get to know each other better. For their last night in Buffalo before the break, defensive line coach Marcus West hosted a dinner for his position group.
"We had dinner just to talk about OTAs and kind of see where we are and how we feel," Jones said. "And we came a long way just being able to gel with these young guys so quickly and all being on the same page. And we are really just being ourselves, inviting the new guys into the room, it's been a great minicamp."
The Bills finished mandatory minicamp with several players working off to the side as they were unable to participate in practice, but Beane doesn't foresee any of the injuries being too serious.
"We got some nicks and bruises," Beane said. "I think Khalil (Shakir) is going to be okay. I'm hopeful that everyone will be ready when we start or close is the goal. Obviously, they got to work through the summer."
Next up is training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY. Report day is set for July 23 and practices will begin on July 24. When asked if the Bills would participate in any joint practices with other teams this summer, Beane said "possibly."
"We're not against it at all," Beane added. "We've had things in the past that were tentatively lined up. So, we're not against it and it doesn't mean we're not going to do something as well."
McDermott's message to the team ahead of everyone taking a much-deserved break before camp was simple.
"Be ready to go," McDermott said. "Make good decisions during this four-week period of time from when they leave us to when they come back to St. John Fisher, and be ready to go, be in shape because it's going to be a challenge at camp."
Scroll to see the best photos from the Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp in Orchard Park, NY, June 13, 2024.
Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Cam Lewis (39), Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Shaquille Quarterman (27), David Ugwoegbu (55). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26), Cam Lewis (39), Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr (20). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Travis Clayton (67), Mike Edwards (65), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62), Frank Gore Jr (20), Gunner Britton (61), Tylan Grable (68). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Damar Hamlin (3), Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Gable Steveson (61). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Gable Steveson (61). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Gunner Britton (61). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr (20), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Scott Booker, Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Gable Steveson (61). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Kyle Shurmur. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43), Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dee Delaney (29). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Shaquille Quarterman (27). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Scott Booker. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Shaquille Quarterman (27). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Stephen Hillis (28). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Joe Danna. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Scott Booker, Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Stephen Hillis (28). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mike Edwards (21). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keaton Bills (60). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dee Delaney (29). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Kevin Jarvis (63). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Al Holcomb, Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43), Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Chase Claypool (14). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Chase Claypool (14), Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Sean McDermott, Kyle Shurmur. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17), Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dion Dawkins (73), Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Hassan Hall (35). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62), Hassan Hall (35), Gunner Britton (61). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Alec Anderson (70), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10), Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dawson Knox (88), Dalton Kincaid (86), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dawson Knox (88) Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Shayne Simon (49), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Branson Deen (53), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43), Al Holcomb, Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43), Al Holcomb. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62), Keaton Bills (60). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81), Josh Allen (17), Alec Anderson (70), Ronald Curry. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Keaton Bills (60). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62), Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mike Edwards (65). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84), Shayne Simon (49). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84), Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Darrynton Evans (37), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Reggie Gilliam (41), Dawson Knox (88), Dalton Kincaid (86), Connor McGovern (66), David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mike Edwards (65). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Dion Dawkins (73), La'el Collins (71). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17), Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Wide receivers at Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
David Ugwoegbu (55), Rondell Bothroyd (97), Branson Deen (53), Javon Solomon (56), Gunner Britton (61), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 13, 2024 at 1 Bills Drive.
