Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane kicked off the team’s very different 2020 training camp on Sunday, as both had press conferences via video with members of the media.
Due to COVID-19, the team’s training camp is going to be much different all around this year. Both touched on that aspect of camp as well as a slew of other Bills-related topics.
With that, here are eight takeaways from Beane’s presser:
Another opt out
To start his first report from training camp, Beane announced that the Bills have another player opting out of the 2020 season. This time it’s cornerback EJ Gaines.
Gaines is on his second stint with the Bills and was battling for a depth position. He could’ve played both inside and outside cornerback for Buffalo. Gaines was also an outside candidate in the No. 2 cornerback battle, but now that’s just going to be between Josh Norman and Levi Wallace.
According to Beane, some “family things” played a part in Gaines’ decision to opt out. Last week, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was the first Bills player to opt out of 2020. We could still see more in the coming days as well, but currently it sounded as if Beane isn’t expecting more at this time.
With Gaines opting out, Beane also confirmed the Bills are at 80 players on their roster at the current moment. Of those 80, the GM said each one has reported to training camp’s start.