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The departure of Wishnowsky marks a shift in the team's special teams unit, with rookie punter
Strategic Shifts in the Return Game
Mecole Hardman Jr., a three-time Super Bowl champion during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the Bills' practice squad in November of last season. Despite his championship pedigree, the 28-year-old struggled to secure a permanent spot on the active roster. His path to the final 53 was complicated by the team's decision to experiment with other options in the return game, specifically running back Ray Davis.
While Davis was given increased opportunities to handle punt return duties throughout the preseason, his performance included a muffed punt during the team's third preseason game. Despite this inconsistency, the organization ultimately opted to prioritize other roster spots over retaining Hardman. During his time with Buffalo, Hardman appeared in three regular-season contests and one playoff game throughout the 2025 campaign.
Roster Management Ahead of Deadline
The release of these two veterans is part of a broader effort by the Buffalo front office to manage personnel requirements ahead of the league-mandated roster cutdown. With the deadline looming on Sunday evening, the team is evaluating its depth across all positions to ensure the most effective configuration for the season ahead.
While the long-term solution for the punt returner position remains an open question for the coaching staff, the decision to move on from Hardman signals a clear direction for the team's offensive and special teams depth. The Bills will now move forward with their finalized roster as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming schedule.
