Bills Rookie Learns the Hard Way: ‘On Time Means You’re Late Here’

Buffalo, NY – July 28, 2025

Training camp in Buffalo has always demanded more than just talent — it tests discipline, attention, and respect for every minute. For one rookie defensive tackle, that lesson arrived sooner than he expected.

In the first week of camp, whispers started about a promising newcomer’s punctuality. Some media outlets claimed he’d arrived late, questioning his professionalism before his NFL career had even begun.

The reality was more nuanced. The rookie, a standout from South Carolina, showed up when his schedule said — but the standard in Buffalo is different. Here, being on time is only the baseline, and coaches expect more.

“I wasn’t late. The media spun it. I got to the facility on time — but with Coach McDermott, if you’re not early, you’re already behind,” T.J. Sanders explained, setting the record straight while showing respect for the team’s culture.

Sanders, born in Blythewood, South Carolina, came to Buffalo after 46 college games, 9.5 sacks, and second-team All-SEC honors in 2024. The Bills traded up to pick him 41st overall, expecting his quickness and power to boost their interior pass rush.

With 50 tackles, 4 sacks, and 33 QB pressures last season, Sanders brings an impressive résumé. But as a rotational 3-technique, he knows he must earn every snap, battling Ed Oliver and DeWayne Carter for a spot in the rotation.

Veterans in the locker room understand the message well: success in Buffalo starts with preparation, not just ability. Sanders’s early adjustment is a reminder that even the most talented prospects must adapt to a culture where urgency is everything.

As camp grinds on, coaches and teammates alike are watching how Sanders responds. His humility and willingness to learn could make the difference in a defensive unit hungry to shut down the league’s best offenses.

For Sanders, the standard is now clear — and the only way forward in Buffalo is to show up, stay hungry, and always be early.