The Buffalo Bills’ players have been scrutinized this spring about their handling of COVID-19, and now they’re not talking about it.
This story won’t be going away any time soon.
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a 13-3 season in which they won the AFC East for the first time since 1996. In the playoffs, they won a pair of postseason games — the first time they advanced in 25 years — before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
However, the dominant storyline throughout OTAs from Buffalo is whether many of the players will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
For their part, the Bills players have largely clammed up on the subject.
The Buffalo Bills are making the COVID-19 vaccine a big storyline
While every person has the right to privacy with their medical history — including all vaccine records — the players should expect plenty to be written and said about their lack of clarity on the situation. In quarterback Josh Allen’s case, he hasn’t said whether he’s vaccinated or not, while safety Jordan Poyer has also remained mysterious on the topic. However, his wife, Rachel Bush, has made her feelings very public through social media.
Ultimately, the NFL isn’t forcing players to get vaccinated. However, the league sent out a memo in May detailing the different work atmospheres that will exist for those who don’t get the shots. In short, vaccinated players will be able to go about their business without masks, social distancing or daily testing. The same is not true for those who forgo the vaccine.
For the Bills, the vaccine has the potential to be a driving wedge in the locker room of a team with Super Bowl aspirations.