Bills Appoint Broncos’ Jim Leonhard as Defensive Coordinator
The Buffalo Bills have quickly moved to shape their coaching staff. Newly appointed head coach Joe Brady has hired Jim Leonhard as the team’s defensive coordinator. Leonhard previously served as the defensive passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
Bills Welcome Jim Leonhard as Defensive Coordinator
Jim Leonhard, aged 43, brings valuable experience to Buffalo. He spent two seasons with the Broncos, who were noted for their strong defensive performance this season. Under Leonhard’s guidance, the Broncos achieved the following:
- Allowed an average of just 278.2 yards per game, ranking second in the league.
- Allowed an average of 18.3 points per game, placing them third overall.
- Recorded 68 sacks, the highest in the NFL.
Leonhard’s impressive track record is bolstered by his tenure as an NFL player, where he spent 10 seasons as a safety. His career included stints with the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Broncos, and the Bills.
Transition in Buffalo’s Defense
Leonhard succeeds Bobby Babich, who recently left the Bills to join the Green Bay Packers as their defensive passing game coordinator. Babich had a nine-year association with Buffalo, with two of those years spent as the defensive coordinator.
Joe Brady, the new head coach, finalized a five-year contract with the Bills. His appointment followed the dismissal of Sean McDermott just over a week ago. Brady has previous experience with the Bills, having coached for four seasons, including two years as the offensive coordinator.
This coaching shake-up aims to leverage Leonhard’s expertise to enhance the Bills’ defense as they prepare for the upcoming season.
