The man they call “Buffalo Joe” was the buzzword in Buffalo during the preseason.

University of Buffalo product Joe Andreessen earned a spot in training camp after a tryout during rookie minicamp and hasn’t looked back, putting an exclamation point on his performance in the final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers by recording eight total tackles, bringing his preseason total to 23.

In Week 2 against the Steelers, he was all over the field, racking up 11 tackles and making sure everyone knew he wasn’t just happy to be a feel-good preseason story — he’s here to make the team. After his final preseason game, Andreessen said he was grateful for the chance Buffalo gave him.

“I’ve been working toward this my whole life,” Andreessen said. “It felt like something that was so far away and would never come true.”

It seems like Andreessen has done enough to earn a spot in the Bills’ linebacker rotation, especially after it was thinned by the injury to All-Pro Matt Milano. And while it’s still uncertain whether Andreessen will make the final 53-man roster, the fan-favorite linebacker is confident his NFL dream won’t end after this preseason.

“I don’t think the journey will end one way or the other.”