‘It’s a big defensive hire by head coach Joe Brady, who was promoted to head coach from offensive coordinator on Tuesday.’
Archives for February 1, 2026
Internal hires usually don’t succeed. Can Joe Brady and the Bills defy the odds?
‘From 2006 through 2024, 21 coaches were promoted from an assistant role to take over the team with whom they were employed the previous season. Their combined record and winning percentage: 360-472 (.432). Eleven lasted fewer than three seasons. Only one, Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts, reached a Super Bowl, and he accomplished the feat during his first season. Three remained on the job for more than three seasons. Five had experience as an NFL head coach.’
Bills Mailbag: Is it wise for Joe Brady to call plays in his first year on the job?
‘The more I think about the hire, though, the more I understand the thinking behind it. The reality is, making sure Josh Allen is on board with the plan is the most important factor in anything that happens within the organization. Allen believes in Brady. The love that Brady has for his players absolutely came across in Thursday’s news conference. That alone won’t win games, but, at least offensively, the Bills should be bought in right from the start. That matters.’
Bills Mafia House becomes latest property for sale around stadium
‘There has also been renewed interest in properties in the area with the team’s new more than $2 billion stadium nearing completion and the Town of Orchard Park recently creating a new stadium mixed-use zone for the area closest to the stadium, where there are more possibilities for mixed-use development and family-friendly activities there.’
Buffalo Next: Buffalo Bills fans keep giving, even after disappointing end to season
‘Fans rallied behind Bills quarterback Josh Allen after the team lost in the AFC divisional round to the Denver Broncos last Sunday by donating over $171,000 to the Patricia Allen Fund at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. They then supported Sean McDermott by donating over $65,000 to the Skin Cancer Foundation in honor of the coach after he was fi red by the team following nine seasons at the helm.’
Jim Leonhard returning to Bills as DC
‘Brady was looking for someone who would bring an aggressive style to Buffalo’s defense because through his experience as an offensive coordinator, those are the defenses that pose the most problems.’
Why the Bills must upgrade at wide receiver in 2026
‘For those not enamored with the promotion of Joe Brady to head coach, there is one way to spin that to the positive. Despite so little meaningful production from all wide receivers not named Khalil Shakir, the Bills still found a way to win 13 games and rank fourth in scoring at 28.3 points per game and tied for fifth in yards per pass play at 6.9.’
Jim Leonhard’s defensive stats at Wisconsin were absolutely dominant, and now he’s headed to Buffalo Bills
‘The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Leonhard for their defensive coordinator opening before hiring Chris O’Leary for the job. Baltimore also interviewed Leonhard for their defensive coordinator job this week. That role likely was not as appealing as Buffalo’s vacancy, as head coach Jesse Minter said he would call plays on defense in Baltimore.’
This Buffalo Bills All-Pro just shot his shot with Sydney Sweeney in the funniest way
‘The comments on her ideal man have taken off on social media. Davis was one of many athletes who said he would be willing to try new things to land Sweeney. On X, formerly Twitter, Davis wrote, “I can probably add skydiving to my bucket list.”’
What Justin Jefferson just said about new Bills head coach Joe Brady will make Buffalo fans even more excited
‘“He’s already been doing a phenomenal job behind the scenes. Of course, the TV crew will show him in the box calling the plays and stuff,” Jefferson said. “… He’s a great coach. Having him as my offensive coordinator [at LSU] my 2019 year, we had so much fun together just building and working on our craft.”‘
Buffalo Bills opt for a new defensive approach by hiring ex-safety Jim Leonhard as coordinator
‘The Bills wanted to substitute as infrequently as possible in the back seven, fill it with instinctual, intelligent players and create confusion with a variety of different disguises. No team in the NFL played more nickel defense than the Bills over the last five seasons — over 90%.’
Sunday’s Denver Coverage
Broncos secondary coach Jim Leonhard leaving for Buffalo DC job, source says (Denver Post)
Bills hire Broncos assistant Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Another Broncos assistant is shuffling off to Buffalo (KFAN-FM)
Bills hiring Jim Leonhard for defensive coordinator job as overhaul continues
‘The 2025 Broncos were one of the top defensive teams in the NFL during the regular season, allowing the second-fewest yards per game (278.2) and fourth-fewest points per game (18.5).’
Jim Leonhard getting first NFL defensive coordinator job, reports say
‘After two years on the Denver Broncos’ defensive staff, the Wisconsin native and former UW defensive coordinator and one-time interim Badgers head coach was receiving interest from many teams this offseason.’
New Bills coach Brady fills defensive coordinator job by hiring Leonhard
‘“Jim’s vision for what he wants from our defense and the personality they play with is the exact style of what I was looking for from a defensive coordinator,” Brady said in a statement. “You could tell how smart and versatile his secondary was when we watched them on tape. He is super intelligent, a great communicator, and highly regarded in this league.”’