Bills Get Devastating News After Win Over Chiefs
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Bills head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to the game against the Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025.
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21 in a thrilling matchup on Sunday, November 2.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was in his bag, completing 23-of-26 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown, along with six carries for 19 yards and two scores.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Allen admitted he felt different in Week 9. “To be candid, you feel it in your mechanics sometimes. Early on in the game, I called it slotted, where the ball is coming out of your hands as good as you really want it… I’ve been working really hard over the past couple of weeks to get back to that feeling.”
While Allen and Co. have a lot to celebrate after moving to 6-2 on the season and taking down their AFC rival, Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced some devastating injury news regarding defensive end Michael Hoecht after the game.
Bills DE Michael Hoecht Suffered a Season-Ending Achilles Tear
GettyBills defensive end Michael Hoecht at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025.
Hoecht, who signed a three-time $21 million contract with the Bills this offseason, exited the game on Sunday with a non-contact Achilles injury in the fourth quarter. While he remained on the bench for the remainder of the game. McDermott revealed he waived off the injury cart because Hoecht wanted to finish watching the end of the matchup.
McDermott also confirmed the 28-year-old is done for the season with an Achilles tear. Considering the Bills lost starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver last week, it’s yet another tough blow for the Bills defense.
Hoecht walked into the locker room with the support of crutches, per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg, noting how he didn’t put any weight on his right leg.
Getzenberg shared, “Hoecht now with a boot on his right foot and leaving on a cart. Does not sound good as all the signs have been indicating.”
“It’s a big loss,” McDermott said. “We have to find somebody else to step up.” With Hoecht out, A.J. Epenesa and Javon Solomon will likely see more snaps at defensive end behind Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau.
With Michel Hoecht in Mix, Buffalo’s Defensive Line Made Life Difficult for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
GettyChiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sacked by Michael Hoecht #55 and Greg Rousseau #50 at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025.
Hoecht missed the first six games of the season following a suspension for violating the league’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs, as did defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Since returning last week, he’s recorded five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
The Bills defensive line did a phenomenal job of pressuring Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Sunday. For the first time since last season, he failed to score a passing or rushing touchdown.
Next Gen Stats posted, “The Bills pressured Patrick Mahomes on 52.6% of his dropbacks, +14.3% higher than their pressure rate in any of their other 9 matchups against the Chiefs since 2020. Mahomes completed just 3 of 16 passes for 61 yards and an interception when pressured.”
Next up, the Bills travel to Hard Rock Stadium to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.
Yankees Urged to Sign Longtime AL East Catcher to Pair With Austin Wells
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Yankees linked to signing veteran catcher to pair with Austin Wells.
The New York Yankees could look to add some catching help this offseason.
New York’s catching duo is Austin Wells and Ben Rice, but Rice could be the long-term answer at first base. If Rice is indeed going to play at first, the Yankees will need to add another veteran.
Yankees insider Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com links New York to signing Danny Jansen of the Milwaukee Brewers. Jansen is a long-time member of the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.
“The veteran, right-handed hitting catcher is expected to be a free agent,” Caldera wrote. “Traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Milwaukee Brewers at the July 31 MLB deadline, Jansen earned $8.5 million in 2025 and has a $12 million mutual option for 2026. Jansen, 30, has played with three AL East teams, mostly with Toronto, and the Yankees should be seeking a solid catching complement to the lefty-hitting Austin Wells.”
The option on Jansen is unlikely to be picked up, and the veteran will be one of the top catchers available. He’s a good hitter who’s also known for his defense and can split catching duties with Wells.
Last season, between the Rays and Brewers, Jansen hit .215 with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs. His career high is 17 home runs and 53 RBIs, which he did with the Blue Jays in 2023 in just 86 games.
Yankees Tried Rice at Catcher
Although New York has Wells and Rice under contract, adding a catcher makes a ton of sense.
With Paul Goldschmidt set to be a free agent, the path is open for Rice to be the starting first baseman. If that is the case, adding a catcher is a must.
Yet, last season, Yankees manager Aaron Boone did try Rice at catcher, who had mixed results. But it was a play to get his bat into the lineup. The Athletic’s Yankees reporter Chris Kirschner said that was the reason why Rice played catcher.
“There are two ways the Yankees can maximize Rice’s playing time. Start him at first base when there’s a right-handed pitcher on the mound, or increase his starts behind the plate to supplant the struggling Austin Wells,” Kirschner wrote. “As Wells’ offensive woes continue to pile up, the latter option is looking increasingly compelling.”
“At the beginning of the season, when Rice was mainly getting at-bats as the Yankees’ designated hitter and first baseman, catching coordinator Tanner Swanson said he believed Rice could start for at least a third of MLB teams. Behind the scenes, the Yankees were having Rice catch bullpens and slowly working him into lopsided games behind the plate. He’s now showing he could handle a bigger workload.”
So, with Goldschmidt likely leaving, Rice now has the path to be at first, leaving the backup catcher role open.
What Will Jansen Earn in Free Agency?
Jansen has a $12 million mutual option with the Brewers, which will likely be declined.
The veteran catcher should expect to earn around $8.5 million, which he signed for in 2025 with the Rays.
Jansen isn’t a true starting catcher, as he likely can start between 80-100 games and would be part of a tandem, which would bring his price down.
Yet, with the Yankees, he’s a perfect fit for them. Spotrac has his market value at $7.2 million, which seems on the lower end. Instead, he should get close to $8 million in free agency.
Jansen has appeared in 599 career games over eight seasons in the MLB.
