Bills LB Joe Andreessen takes it one shot at a time in pursuit of his NFL dream

Buffalo Bills undrafted free-agent linebacker Joe Andreessen has become a sensation in Buffalo, as the local boy has become a folk hero. Quarterback Josh Allen has even nicknamed Andreessen “Buffalo Joe” for his Buffalo-area upbringing — and the Bills Mafia can’t get enough of it. The real reason for all the hype surrounding Andreessen, of course, is the standout game he put in for the Bills in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

“It actually happened really fast,” Andreessen said of his team-leading 12 tackles Saturday night. “I came to the sideline and people were saying I did a great job and stuff like that. I was just worried that every time I was on the field, I didn’t want them to score because it was a close game.”

The rookie admitted that playing five years of college football, first at Bryant University and then at the University of Buffalo, may give him a slight advantage over other walk-ons, saying that “anytime you can get more reps on something, it helps.”

He also said that switching schools for his senior year of college football also helped prepare him for a pivot to earn a job in the NFL. “We had a different schedule at my first school and then at my second school, so gaining knowledge and playing against different teams that did different things. There’s a lot to learn. I think the more exposure you get to it, the more it helps.”

As for dealing with the nerves that come with the pressure of playing linebacker in the NFL, especially at the MIKE position where he has to relay decisions from coaches to his teammates, Andreessen said he’s relying on the coaching he received this summer.

“It’s something we do every day in practice,” he said. “Bobby Babich talks about having a pre-snap routine. So, you hear the call and you go through that pre-snap routine to get ready for the play and that way when the ball gets snapped, it’s just a reaction because you already know what you’re doing.”

But despite his stellar performance in Pittsburgh and his rising star status as “Buffalo Joe,” Andreessen still has work to do if he wants to be a Buffalo Bill next week. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich has said consistency is key, and the rookie has had just one great game so far — though he hasn’t had many opportunities otherwise.

And the local boy trying to get a spot on the home team is also aware of this.

“I don’t know what the future holds, obviously, so I’m just happy and excited to play in front of my family and friends,” Andreessen said of playing in the Bills’ final exhibition game — this time at home on Saturday — but admitted he’s been focused on practice and preparation, not the fans.

“I think the biggest thing is trust and reliability, whether it’s special teams or defensive end,” he said of getting one last chance to prove to the Bills coaching staff that he deserves a chance to stick with the team as the preseason wraps up. “It’s tough. These coaches, it’s their livelihood on the line, so it’s tough to put a guy on the field that they don’t trust. At the end of the day, their family depends on me playing.”

Whether Andreessen makes the list come September remains to be seen, but this weekend “Buffalo Joe” is looking to make a lasting impression and give coaches and fans something to talk about.