The Buffalo Bills are making moves-and big ones at that. According to reports, they’re bringing in Jim Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator, poaching him from the Denver Broncos where he served as assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator.
This isn’t just a routine hire. Leonhard was one of the most sought-after names on the market, and Buffalo landing him says a lot about where this team is headed.
Leonhard’s phone has been ringing off the hook this offseason. He interviewed with the Chargers and Ravens for their defensive coordinator jobs and was connected to openings with the Cowboys, Packers, Giants, and Jets.
In Denver, he was seen as the top internal candidate to step in if Vance Joseph landed a head coaching gig. But with Joseph expected to stay put, Leonhard looked elsewhere-and found a fit in Buffalo.
For the Broncos, this is a notable loss. Leonhard wasn’t just a rising star on their staff-he was also a key piece of their defensive brain trust. Combine that with the recent dismissal of cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch, and it’s clear Denver’s defensive coaching staff is in for a bit of a shakeup this offseason.
Meanwhile, Buffalo continues to tap into Denver’s coaching pipeline. Earlier this week, they named Pete Carmichael Jr.-a former Broncos offensive assistant-as their new offensive coordinator. Carmichael has a working history with new Bills head coach Joe Brady, and now the two will look to build something special in Western New York.
Leonhard steps into a Bills defense that, frankly, needs a reset. The unit struggled to stop the run late in the season and gave up three touchdown passes to Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the divisional round. That’s not the kind of performance you want when you’re trying to make a deep playoff run.
But there’s a reason Buffalo targeted Leonhard. He’s known for his ability to scheme up coverage packages and adapt on the fly-something this defense sorely lacked down the stretch. If he can clean things up on that side of the ball and Josh Allen continues playing at an MVP-caliber level, the Bills are right back in the Super Bowl conversation.
This hire isn’t just about plugging a hole-it’s about setting a tone. The Bills are retooling, not rebuilding. And with Leonhard now in charge of the defense, the message is clear: Buffalo’s not backing down from the AFC arms race anytime soon.