Bills’ 2026 Hidden Gem? Scouting ILB Otis Reese IV
Buffalo Bills Linebacker Depth: Getting to Know Otis Reese IV
TL;DR: The Bills signed linebacker Otis Reese IV for a second time. He’s a tall, athletic player who mostly plays special teams. He faces very long odds to make the final 53-man roster but could stick around on the practice squad.
Why Are the Bills Adding Linebackers?
Imagine you’re building a LEGO castle. You have your main builders (starters), but what happens if one gets sick or tired? You need backup builders ready to jump in.
The Buffalo Bills learned this lesson the hard way. A few years ago, they were so short on linebackers that they had to call A.J. Klein—who was literally on vacation in his RV—to come play in playoff games!
Since then, the team has made "adding depth" a top priority. But there’s a catch: the salary cap (the NFL’s spending limit) means they can’t spend big money on backups. So, General Manager Brandon Beane has become an expert at finding hidden gems in the late rounds of the draft or signing players nobody else wanted (Undrafted Free Agents, or UDFAs).
Meet Otis Reese IV: The "Boomerang" Linebacker
Otis Reese IV is one of those hidden gems. Think of him like a boomerang—he left Buffalo, traveled around the league, and has now come back for a second try.
Player Profile Card
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Position | Inside Linebacker (ILB) |
| Height / Weight | 6’3" / 214 lbs (Tall and lean!) |
| NFL Experience | 3 Years (Entering 4th season) |
| Original Team | Tennessee Titans (Signed as UDFA after 2023 Draft) |
| Current Contract | 1 Year / $1.075 Million (Zero guaranteed money) |
| Date Re-Signed | August 6, 2026 |
IMPORTANT: What "Zero Guaranteed Money" Means
This is a "prove-it" deal. If the Bills cut him tomorrow, they owe him $0 and it doesn’t count against their salary cap. He has to earn every single penny by making the team.
The Journey So Far: A Wild 2025 Season
Reese’s 2025 season reads like a travel blog. Here is the timeline of his "tour de NFL":
- Spring 2025: Starts with the Tennessee Titans.
- August 13, 2025: Cut by Titans after just one preseason game.
- September 23, 2025: Signs with Buffalo’s Practice Squad (Team B).
- October 7, 2025: Released by Buffalo.
- November 17, 2025: Signs with New England Patriots’ Practice Squad.
- February 11, 2026: Signs a "Reserve/Futures" deal with Patriots (keeps him for offseason).
- July 31, 2026: Cut by Patriots.
- August 6, 2026: Re-signs with Buffalo (Second stint!).
Key Stat: In his two years with Tennessee (2023-2024), he played 20 games, mostly on Special Teams (kickoffs, punts). He logged 38 tackles on defense but played 248 snaps on special teams vs only 179 on defense.
The Depth Chart Battle: "Musical Chairs" at Linebacker
Right now, the Bills have eight inside linebackers fighting for maybe four or five roster spots. It’s a game of musical chairs, and the music is about to stop.
The Competitors
- Terrel Bernard (Starter)
- Dorian Williams (Starter)
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr (Young, developmental keeper)
- Joe Andreessen (Fan favorite, great special teams)
- Keonta Jenkins (2024 Draft pick)
- Theron Gaines (Rookie UDFA)
- Jimmy Ciarlo (Rookie UDFA)
- Otis Reese IV (The veteran trying to crash the party)
2026 Outlook: The Honest Truth
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Making the 53-man roster is a massive longshot.
The Realistic Path: Practice Squad
His best (and most likely) case scenario is beating out Theron Gaines, Keonta Jenkins, and Jimmy Ciarlo for a Practice Squad spot.
Why he might win a Practice Squad spot:
Veteran Savvy: He knows the NFL game speed (20 games played).
Special Teams Ace: 248 special teams snaps proves he covers kicks well.
Scheme Fit: He knows the old defense; now he’s learning the new one under Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Zero Risk: Cutting him costs the team nothing.
Why he might lose:
Numbers Crunch: The Bills love their draft picks (Jenkins, Gaines) and local favorite Andreessen.
New System: He’s learning a brand new defense in a few weeks.
Chris Trapasso’s Projection: A respected analyst projected only 4 ILBs kept (Bernard, Williams, Elarms-Orr, Jenkins)—leaving Reese out.
Summary: The "Lottery Ticket" Signing
Signing Otis Reese IV is like buying a $1 lottery ticket.
- Cost: Almost nothing ($1.075M, non-guaranteed).
- Upside: A veteran special teams contributor who knows the building.
- Downside: He gets cut, team owes $0, life goes on.
He is healthy, practicing, and fighting. Will he shock the world and make the 53? Probably not. But don’t be surprised if you see him in a Bills practice jersey come September, running down kicks on the scout team.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is a "UDFA"?
UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent. These are players who weren’t picked in the 7-round NFL Draft. Teams sign them immediately after the draft ends. It’s the "walk-on" tryout of the NFL.
What is the "Practice Squad"?
Think of it as the Junior Varsity (JV) team. These players practice with the main team (Varsity) but don’t play in games (unless elevated). They get paid less, but they learn the system and are first in line if a starter gets injured.
What does "Dead Cap" mean?
Dead Cap is money that counts against your salary cap for a player no longer on the team. Because Reese’s deal has $0 guaranteed, if the Bills cut him, the Dead Cap charge is $0. It’s a totally risk-free contract for the team.
Who is Jim Leonhard?
He is the new Defensive Coordinator (head coach of the defense) for the Bills in 2026. He designs the plays and schemes. Reese has to prove he fits what Leonhard wants, not what the old coaches wanted.
Why did the Bills sign him again if they cut him last year?
Sometimes it’s about familiarity. The coaching staff knows his medicals, his work ethic, and his personality. Bringing him back for camp costs nothing and adds competition—which makes everyone better.