Terrel Bernard, O’Cyrus Torrence, Christian Benford named Bills starters

Sean McDermott announced who won the #Bills’ position battles from this summer:

Terrell Bernard at middle linebacker, Christian Benford at cornerback, and O’Cyrus Torrence at right guard.

That’s who will start for the Buffalo Bills at those respective positions when the team opens their 2023 season against the New York Jets.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott announced the updates on Wednesday.

At the top, Bernard being named at linebacker next to Matt Milano is the most surprising decision. Tyrel Dodson played throughout the preseason, and while underperforming at times, he at least got on the field during the competition to replace Tremaine Edmunds.

Bernard didn’t at all due to a hamstring injury… and here we are.

“We thought he did some good things when he was healthy and available,” McDermott said. “And unfortunately that situation, that competition got cut a little bit short due to an injury. We’re confident in TB and I’m excited to watch him play.”

Torrence at right guard comes as the least shocking. For the majority of the preseason he not only played, but started. The second-round rookie was battling incumbent Ryan Bates.

Then the cornerback picture is only now just becoming clearer. We knew former first-round pick Kaiir Elam was a longshot, but it was unclear if Dane Jackson or Christian Benford was in the lead.

Benford started the preseason finale, however, Jackson did in the first two matchups. Benford did enough in the end to earn the opening-day nod.

“I think he contested balls and made some interceptions, made some plays on balls as well,” McDermott said.

As is always the case, these are all subject to change during the season.

In the past, McDermott and the Bills haven’t been shy to change their starters, if needed. Particularly at cornerback. Monday against the Jets will just be the first of many tests for this trio.

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