With both the UFL and NFL in their offseason lulls, it's the perfect time to dive into some offseason content. As the UFL awaits the next wave of NFL signings for the 2026 player acquisition cycle, we're taking a look back at how each NFL team has utilized spring football as a developmental pipeline during the modern era of spring football since 2022. We begin the series with the Buffalo Bills, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
The Bills didn’t invest in any talent from the 2022 USFL season. Previously the team had signed six players from the AAF and 2020 XFL, most notably Tanner Gentry who was Josh Allen’s teammate in college who spent several years with the team from 2020 to 2022.
2023 Cycle:
The Bills signed three XFL players and two USFL players from the 2023 signing cycle. Garrett McGhin (Arlington Renegades), Jace Sternberger (Birmingham Stallions), and Dashaun White (Michigan Panthers) all spent time with the Bills during training camp. Marcell Ateman (St. Louis Battlehawks) would spend several weeks on the practice squad with the team, along with Ben DiNucci (Seattle Sea Dragons), joining the team during training camp of 2024.
2024 Cycle:
Post merger, the Bills signed Deon Cain (Birmingham Stallions), after a stellar 2024 UFL season. Cain would be cut at the conclusion of training camp however, would rejoin the team for a month on their practice squad later in 2024, ultimately being released once more.
2025 Cycle:
The Bills signed three UFL players in 2025, with all three getting released at the end of training camp. The team returned Deon Cain (Birmingham Stallions), along with Nelson Cesar (San Antonio Brahmas), and Jarveon Howard (St. Louis Battlehawks). Most notably, Howard was released due to an injury, and would be waived with a settlement.
Currently, the Bills have signed 10 players over the last five seasons. So far, Buffalo signed Louisville Kings running back Ian Wheeler who remains on the roster going into training camp. UFL to NFL signings will continue once the teams begin training camp, later in July.