Surprising results from Maxwell Hairston's NFL debut for Buffalo Bills vs. Panthers

The Buffalo Bills' rookie cornerback played 44% of the team's defensive snaps and made a couple of plays during his team's Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) celebrates with cornerback Maxwell Hairston (31) after a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Maxwell Hairston’s NFL debut went about as well as expected.

During the Buffalo Bills’ 40-9 Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon, the Bills' rookie cornerback was on the field for 27 of the team’s 61 defensive snaps (44%), which was a bit more than many expected him to play in his first professional game.

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Bills rookie defensive back Maxwell Hairston heads towards the field during the opening day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Pittsford. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hairston missed the Bills’ first six games of the season, but in his return, he showed no signs of inhibition from his knee injury, which slowed the start of his rookie campaign. He finished the win with just one tackle, but it was a big one, coming on a swing to Jimmy Horn Jr., with Hairston bursting forward to make an impressive open-field tackle, limiting the Panthers WR to a two-yard gain.

“It was so fun,” said Hairston postgame. “It got to be one of the funnest moments in my life. I had so much fun out there. I just felt free.”

Hairston credited the Bills’ staff for his ability to make a strong return following an extended absence.

MORE: Josh Allen makes NFL history for Buffalo Bills in Week 8 against Carolina Panthers

Jun 11, 2025; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (31) works out during Minicamp at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

“You want a team like the Bills, bro,” added the rookie cornerback. “They really helped me out throughout this week. Throughout this week, there was some times I was kind of overthinking it, like, okay, first NFL game, first time to put stuff on tape, and they just kind of helped calm me down.

“They let me know that they got my back, and I let them know I got their back. So it made it a little easier to go out there and play with confidence knowing that I got this team behind my back.”

All in all, it was a positive step for Hairston in his recovery and his rookie progression. The Bills will likely call on him to produce a bit more in a daunting upcoming matchup with AFC rival the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9.

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