The Buffalo Bills’ pass defense has spent six games flashing more concern than comfort, and one cornerback situation now looks a lot less open than it did in September.
Even with Buffalo sitting at 5-1 heading into the bye week, the defense has not been sharp. The one outing that really stood out came in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Outside of that, the Bills have been leaning on a pass defense that is giving up 285 yards per game, and four of their six opponents have had quarterbacks throw for more than 300 yards.
That backdrop makes Jim Leonhard’s latest comments worth watching. Speaking to the media on Monday, the defensive coordinator addressed rookie Davison Igbinosun and said the first-year corner has “earned a high number of snaps,” according to Sal Capaccio. Leonhard also said, “I know what I’m getting” when talking about Igbinosun’s game.
Jim Leonhard says IGB has earned a high number of snaps. "I know what I'm getting."
- Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) October 19, 2026
For a Bills team that created plenty of conversation around its secondary during the draft, that’s a notable shift in tone. Buffalo moved up to select Igbinosun in the second round, a pick that naturally raised eyebrows because a corner taken that high is expected to play, not simply fill in. The move also complicated things for Maxwell Hairston, the first-round corner the Bills drafted in 2025.
Hairston opened the season as the starter at CB2 opposite Christian Benford, but Igbinosun has steadily pushed his way into the picture. Hairston’s rough performance against the Patriots in Week 4 opened the door, and Igbinosun made the most of it.
The rookie has posted 7 pass deflections and 16 total tackles so far, and those 7 pass deflections are tied for sixth in the league. His best work has come in true man coverage, where his physical style stands out. The holding penalties are still part of the package, but that was always part of the scouting report coming out of Ohio State.
What Leonhard said Monday suggests the Bills may already have their answer on the outside. Based on how Igbinosun has played, and the way Leonhard talked about him, the CB2 job now appears to be leaning toward Igbinosun and Benford as the starting duo.
In Other News...
Bills Trade Buzz Puts Secondary Problem Back In Focus
The Bills search for help in the secondary has quickly become a familiar storyline, and the latest name linked to Buffalo is cornerback Alontae Taylor. Reports say the team has interest in a deal with Tennessee as it tries to shore up a back end that has been under pressure, and Taylors situation is notable because he has had a rocky season and was inactive in Week 6.
What makes the idea more intriguing is how much uncertainty still hangs over it. Taylors struggles have put him in a spot where a move could make sense, but the asking price from Tennessee is not clear, leaving Buffalos next step very much up in the air as the trade buzz starts to build. [Read more 🡒]
Christian Benford Tries To Calm Bills Fears About This Defense
Even with a 5-1 start powered by Josh Allen and the offense, the Bills have had to answer some uncomfortable questions about the other side of the ball. Cornerback Christian Benford stepped in to frame those early defensive struggles as part of the transition under first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard, pointing to scheme adjustments and roster turnover as the biggest reasons the unit has not looked settled yet.
The numbers have not been pretty, with Buffalo sitting near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed, but Benfords message was more about patience than panic. He believes the defense will improve as the group gets more snaps together and becomes more comfortable in Leonhards system, which is the kind of internal confidence the Bills will need if they want the early record to hold up through the tougher stretches ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Safety Need Could Put Jessie Bates In Play
The safety market can always get interesting when the trade deadline starts creeping closer, and Jessie Bates has emerged as the kind of name that could force Buffalo to at least pick up the phone. The Falcons veteran has been one of the steadier defensive backs in the league, and his contract status only adds to the appeal for a Bills team that could use help on the back end if it wants to sharpen its defense for the stretch run.
Of course, prying away a player like Bates is never simple, especially for a team that still views him as a cornerstone rather than a luxury piece. The Bills make sense as a fit because of need and ambition, but any real movement would have to line up with Atlantas own calculations, and those are still very much in flux as the deadline draws near. [Read more 🡒]