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Joe Andreessen
Joseph Andreessen (born February 7, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Bryant Bulldogs before playing his final year for the Buffalo Bulls. Early life and college careerA native of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, Andreessen played little league football before playing for Lancaster High School,[1] where he was noted for his work ethic and won numerous accolades, including Defensive Player of the Year in Western New York. He enrolled at Bryant University, the only school to offer him a football scholarship, before transferring to his hometown University at Buffalo as a graduate transfer.[2] In his final year at Bryant, Andreessen was named an All-American after setting a school record with 112 tackles, ranking 8th in the FCS in 2022, and finishing third in career tackles in Bryant Bulldogs history. He then started 12 games for Buffalo the following year, leading the Bulls in tackles.[3][4] Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Andreessen was signed by his hometown Buffalo Bills on May 11, 2024, after a successful rookie minicamp tryout.[4] Andressen started the second game of the preseason after Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard were sidelined due to injury and precaution, respectively. Playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers' starters and second-stringers, he had a strong performance, finishing with a team-high 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss, one of which was a fourth-down sack of Justin Fields.[6] Quarterback Josh Allen nicknamed Andreessen "Buffalo Joe" following the performance, also paying homage to the latter's upbringing in Buffalo.[7] Andreessen was named to the NFL's "All Preseason team" for his play in the preseason,[8] later making the Bills' initial 53-man roster alongside fellow UB alumnus Ja'Marcus Ingram.[9][10] Andreessen's number 44 has historically only rarely been issued to players, being reserved (but not retired) in honor of Elbert Dubenion, a key contributor during the Bills' American Football League era; the number has historically been only used in the preseason and granted to players not expected to make a regular season roster.[11] References
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