In the NFL, free agency is often about more than just the money-though let’s be honest, the money matters. But right behind the dollar signs is something just as influential: familiarity.
Coaches bring in players they know, trust, and believe can translate their system on the field. And in Buffalo, that kind of connection might be setting the stage for a major move on the defensive line.
With Joe Brady now officially installed as the Bills’ new head coach, the team is clearly leaning into a youth movement-on the sideline and potentially on the field. Brady wasted no time putting his stamp on the staff, bringing in Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator. That hire could end up being more than just a schematic shift-it might also be the key to unlocking one of the most intriguing free agent additions of the offseason.
Leonhard spent the past two seasons working under Vance Joseph in Denver, and that connection could be the bridge to veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who’s set to hit the open market. Franklin-Myers has been a steady force in the trenches throughout his NFL career, and he’s the kind of player who doesn’t just show up-he makes an impact. Over a full 17-game slate, he’s averaged five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, and he’s been remarkably durable, barely missing any time since 2020.
That kind of consistency is exactly what Buffalo’s defensive front has been missing. Last offseason, the Bills took some swings in free agency that didn’t quite connect. Now, with several key pieces-AJ Epenesa, Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi, Jordan Phillips, and DaQuan Jones-heading toward free agency, there’s a clear need for stability and production up front.
Enter Franklin-Myers.
He’s not just a fit on paper-he’s a known quantity to Leonhard, someone who understands the nuances of the system and can help lead a revamped defensive unit. And after Buffalo’s defense was gashed in the playoffs by those very same Broncos-five turnovers, including four off Josh Allen-it’s clear that changes are coming. The Bills aren’t just reacting to what happened; they’re pulling directly from the blueprint that beat them.
Brady, who got his coaching start under Sean Payton in New Orleans, has already shown he’s not afraid to go after what he wants. Payton himself reportedly tried to lure Brady to Denver before the Bills locked him in. Instead, Brady flipped the script, pulling Leonhard from Payton’s staff.
Now the question becomes: who else might follow?
If Franklin-Myers makes the jump from Denver to Buffalo, it wouldn’t just be a smart move-it’d be a statement. A signal that the Bills are serious about reshaping their defense with guys who not only fit the scheme but bring a level of reliability and toughness that this unit sorely needs.
It’s early in the offseason, but the pieces are already moving. And if the Bills can land Franklin-Myers, it could be the kind of under-the-radar signing that pays major dividends come fall.