The Buffalo Bills are going to look like a very different team when they return to action in 2026. With a new coaching staff taking over and a roster that has been turned over quite a bit, the Bills are hopeful that this team is the one that can lead them to the Super Bowl next season.
One guy who could figure to have a bigger role with the team is defensive back Jordan Hancock. A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hancock took on a backup role in Buffalo’s secondary, as the team works on figuring out whether he’s better off at cornerback or safety. However, it sounds like a shoulder injury has thrown a roadblock in his development plan.
Jordan Hancock Undergoes Surgery to Fix Shoulder Injury
Hancock entered the NFL last year as a safety/cornerback hybrid, but when he played on defense, he was typically used as a safety. In 13 games, Hancock racked up 22 tackles, and while he generally held his own during his time on the field, former head coach Sean McDermott tended to stay away from him unless he truly needed another defensive back on the field.
There’s reason to believe that Hancock will take a step forward in 2026, regardless of what position he plays. Before the season gets underway, though, Joe Brady and the new coaching staff want to determine what Hancock’s best position is, as splitting him between two spots for an extended period of time will hinder his development.
Spring workouts seemed like an ideal time to find an answer to that question, but it doesn’t sound like that will be happening. That’s because, according to general manager Brandon Beane, Hancock underwent surgery to clean up a shoulder injury this offseason, and while he’s making good progress in his injury rehab, it’s expected to force him to miss time during the team’s spring program.
“Beane revealed to The Athletic that Hancock underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is rehabbing,” Joe Buscaglia revealed. “If Hancock’s timeline keeps him out for some of the spring workouts, that will make it a bit more difficult to figure out his positional home before training camp and a plan for him heading into camp.”
Bills Hoping Jordan Hancock is Back on the Field Sooner Rather Than Later
GettyJordan Hancock could miss time during the Bills’ spring workouts, as he underwent surgery to fix a shoulder injury
Shoring up the secondary has been one of the biggest goals for the Bills this offseason, and seeing what they have in Hancock appeared to be a part of that plan. While this injury doesn’t exactly change that, it will put the coaching staff in a bit of a bind when it comes to figuring out where Hancock is best utilized moving forward.
That’s an issue that can be figured out once Hancock gets fully healthy, as that is his primary goal for the time being. There’s a lot of time to determine what Hancock’s role for the team looks like, but this injury does throw a bit of a wrench in the team’s plan. For now, though, Buffalo is likely primarily focused on the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to get underway on Apr. 23.
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