Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker is getting some assistance with his first NFL fine.
He one of the team’s standout offseason surprises, initially joined Buffalo on a rookie minicamp tryout and eventually earned a spot on the active roster. However, as ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported on Nov. 2, he received a fine for a hit during last week’s game.
“Bills LB was fined $4,421.29 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) during the win vs. the Seahawks last week, making a tackle on a kickoff return in the third quarter,” Getzenberg posted on X. “He was not flagged on the field.”
Now, the former University of Buffalo standout has an offer from a well-known former Bills quarterback to cover the fine.
After his fine was announced, Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson voiced his frustration on X, which caught the attention of former Bills quarterback and current commentator Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick quickly offered to cover the fine.
“DM me Joe’s info and I’ll pay the fine for him….can’t be taking money away from Mr. Buffalo,” Fitzpatrick wrote.
The rookie linebacker has become a fan favorite, with his popularity growing during the preseason due to his standout performances. A local product, he attended Lancaster High School, starred at Bryant University (where he set a single-season record with 116 tackles in 2022), and later transferred to the University of Buffalo for his final college season. After going undrafted, Andreessen joined the Bills’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and impressed enough to earn a spot on the team’s active roster.
Reflecting on his journey, Andreessen shared his gratitude after making the final roster. “I would say definitely grateful… Grateful just to have the trust of the coaches,” he told ESPN. “But I would say it was kind of like a switch because there’s still a lot left to be done. A lot left to prove, not only to me but my teammates now because I’m given that opportunity to be on this team to help this team win.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Close Ties to the Bills
Though Ryan Fitzpatrick played for nine teams over his 17-year NFL career, he’s remained particularly connected to the Buffalo Bills. He’s built a strong friendship with Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who shared some inside info with him earlier this season.
After Allen injured his left (non-throwing) hand in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, he Facetimed Fitzpatrick to let him know the injury wouldn’t impact his play in the following game.
“I had surgery, ended up playing a few days later with a hard cast around my thumb, so I was mostly in shotgun,” Fitzpatrick said during an appearance on *Up and Adams*. “I think we’ll see early in the game if he’s under center, and how he’s handling the ball with his left hand. Those will be the two things I’ll watch to make sure it’s not affecting him. He’s throwing with his right hand, so he’ll be fine in that aspect.”
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