The Buffalo Bills are keeping their coaching search wide and intriguing, and their latest interview adds another rising name to the mix. The team has officially completed an interview with Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase for their head coaching vacancy - a sign that Buffalo is seriously considering fresh, innovative minds to guide the franchise forward.
Scheelhaase, just 35, is part of a growing wave of young offensive minds making their mark across the league. His coaching journey has been steady and impressive.
After a four-year playing career at Illinois (2010-2013), he returned to the program in a coaching role in 2015. From there, he made a name for himself at Iowa State, where he climbed the ladder from running backs coach to wide receivers coach, and ultimately became offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023 - a role that showcased his ability to design and direct a modern, balanced offense.
In 2024, Scheelhaase joined the Los Angeles Rams, a team known for its offensive creativity under Sean McVay. His promotion to passing game coordinator in 2025 only solidified his reputation as a bright offensive strategist, helping to craft a passing attack that fit seamlessly into the Rams’ scheme. It’s no surprise that his name is drawing attention - not just from Buffalo, but also from the Cleveland Browns, who’ve reportedly shown serious interest in him as well.
On the defensive side of the coaching carousel, Jesse Minter is another name to watch. At 42, Minter brings a strong blend of NFL and collegiate experience, and he’s been building a reputation as one of the more respected defensive minds in the game. His coaching roots trace back to Notre Dame in 2006 as a defensive intern, with stops at Cincinnati, Indiana State, and Georgia State rounding out his early years.
Minter made the jump to the NFL in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens, a franchise known for its defensive pedigree. He was elevated to defensive backs coach in 2020 before heading back to the college ranks in 2021 for a one-year stint as Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator. That led to a high-profile role as DC at Michigan, where he helped build one of the top defenses in the country.
When Jim Harbaugh made the leap back to the NFL in 2024 to coach the Los Angeles Chargers, Minter followed as his defensive coordinator - and the results speak for themselves. In 2025, the Chargers’ defense ranked fifth in points allowed and ninth in total defense. They were stout against the run (No. 8) and disciplined against the pass (No. 5), a testament to Minter’s ability to get the most out of his personnel and scheme.
As the Bills continue their search, both Scheelhaase and Minter represent intriguing, but very different, directions. One is an offensive innovator on the rise, the other a defensive architect with proven results. Buffalo’s decision will say a lot about the identity they want to build moving forward.
We’ll continue to monitor developments as the Bills’ coaching search unfolds.