Bills

Bills S C.J. Gardner-Johnson praised S Cole Bishop and said he reminds him of several talented defensive backs he has played alongside.

“[Bishop’s] ready to go. We didn’t see him during OTAs but seeing him out there for the first day [of training camp], we’re ready to go,” Gardner-Johnson said, via the team’s website. “I’ve played with a lot of young safeties, from Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Reed Blankenship. I see a lot of similarities in a lot of those guys.”

Gardner-Johnson said DC Jim Leonhard and the rest of Buffalo’s coaching staff and culture have created a strong foundation for the defense.

“I feel like the coaching and the culture here is amazing. Like the players are already good. So, you’ve got to know how to bond that nucleus together and make a great DNA, so it doesn’t change. I think when the DNA doesn’t change, and everybody’s got that same DNA, everybody plays to that same standard… It’s the same message. It’s football. Go out there, execute, do what you need to do Monday through Saturday, and then let the chips fall together on Sunday.”

Gardner-Johnson added that the Bills have enough talent that anything short of winning would be a disappointment.

“I think the standard here right now is to win,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Everybody understands what’s going on. We’re too good of a team to fall short. Simple as that.”

Jets

Jets CB Brandon Stephens enters his second year on the team after coming to New York as a free agent in 2025. Stephens said they are emphasizing creating turnovers this season. 

“I tell myself that even in my sleep,” Stephens said, via Amanda Vogt of the team’s site. “In order to win games, you have to take the ball away to give yourself that advantage. That’s definitely the focus, how could it not be?”

New York finished last season as the worst defense in creating turnovers. Stephens said they are moving on from 2025 and understand that they need to get more takeaways. 

“Last season was what it was. This is a new season to prove myself, prove ourselves as a team,” Stephens said. “We know that turnovers aren’t going to create themselves, right? We have to go take them away and capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves.”

Although Stephens has been making plays in training camp, HC Aaron Glenn said that consistency is what is most important. 

“He made a couple plays today. The thing is we want that to be consistent and he knows that,” Glenn said. “Every day, if he can just continue to have that focus, I think he’ll continue to improve in that aspect.”

Patriots 

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez has remained a full participant in training camp as his representation continues to negotiate a contract extension. New England HC Mike Vrabel has been impressed by Gonzalez’s professionalism and drive to improve. 

“I cannot express [more] the professionalism that Gonzo has started camp with,” Vrabel said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “It’s clear that he wants to improve, that he wants to be the best at his craft and at that position. I think that he’s made that known by the way he’s come out here to practice.”

As for Gonzales going up against recently acquired WR A.J. Brown, Patriots QB Drake Maye said the two are having fierce competition. 

“We got some great competition. Him and Gonzo are going back and forth and going at it,” Maye said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN.