What a Bills game of tug-o-war reveals early in 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - February 1: Dalton Kincaid #86 and Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills pose for a photo during a Pro Bowl team practice during the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center South on February 1, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images Like all NFL teams, the Buffalo Bills are at the point in year where team building takes priority. Each year around this time, Bills players take part in a tug-of-war for little more than bragging rights.

While sometimes all that matters are such bragging rights, a video shared by Buffalo’s social media team actually reveals a few rather interesting things beyond Thursday’s shenanigans. First, there’s Dalton Kincaid who seems to have bulked up — and who wasn’t wearing a knee brace during the tug-of-war bout. Kincaid can be seen running around almost as soon as the video begins.

Though this is decidedly not football, it is an encouraging sign for the tight end whose dealt with frustrating effects and lingering effects of a PCL injury to his left knee since the 2024 NFL season. That said, it’s wise to expect the team will continue treading carefully with Kincaid in an effort to better manage any related knee issues that arise this offseason and even during the 2026 campaign. Knee ligaments don’t always fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all injury management system, and it’s clear that Kincaid’s role with the offense has limited his ability to fully recover to this point.

Then there’s Landon Jackson, who also appears bigger in the right way. There’s been talk of him moving “inside” — as in along the 3-4 front defensive line. It’ s a move that could help play into his strengths as a football player, but Jackson remains a true project on defense after a lost rookie campaign.