Bills linebacker embracing fresh start after tough season

ORCHARD PARK - Terrel Bernard conducted an interview with several reporters Tuesday afternoon while wearing his helmet, complete with visor. No one asked him to remove it, and he didn’t offer, which made the whole interaction a little weird and impersonal but hey, to each his own. Had he removed the head gear, it would have been easier to recognize the good mood and relaxed state he clearly was in following the second of the Buffalo Bills’ OTA sessions, one where he was a full participant.

It’s a new year for Bernard, with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard teaching a new defense to him and his teammates, and all of that feels like a much-needed reset for the 27-year-old linebacker. Terrel Bernard looks to reset after injury-filled season Bernard admitted the obvious in that 2025 was a rough year for him as he battled injuries that dated all the way back to training camp at St. John Fisher University when he missed time with a pulled hamstring.

Then came an ankle injury that forced him to leave the Week 6 game at Atlanta, one that hampered him for the next several weeks; a hyperextended elbow in Week 12 at Houston that cost him 3 ½ games; and finally the season-ending calf injury in Week 17 against Philadelphia which forced him to miss the postseason. There wasn’t a single moment where Bernard felt 100% and it showed in his play. Bernard reflects on the toughest season of his career “It was tough,” Bernard said.

“It was probably my hardest year as a football player … just battling through injuries, not feeling like myself for a lot of the year trying to come back, and then having something else pop up. “I tried to do the best that I could to still be a leader and still be out in front and still be who I am, but it does take a toll on you and it was a tough year for me. I’m trying to flush it and honestly, move on and try to get my body in a position to where I can be effective and go out there and play good football.