Exciting front-runner quickly emerges for Joe Brady’s first major hire as Bills head coach
Jim Leonhard would be an excellent addition to the Bills’ coaching staff.
The Buffalo Bills have their 21st head coach after making it official that former offensive coordinator Joe Brady got the job. It’s an internal hire for Buffalo after the club moved on from Sean McDermott, who had spent nine seasons previously with the organization.
We previously discussed some potential in-house candidates for the defensive coordinator position, but news broke about an exciting frontrunner outside the organization. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Broncos defensive pass coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to be the “leading candidate.”
Leonhard played for the Bills from 2005 to 2007 and again in 2013 as a defensive back. He played in 14 games with six interceptions, nine passes defensed, and 118 combined tackles.
Now well into his coaching career, Leonhard becoming Buffalo’s DC would be quite the first hire for Brady.
Jim Leonhard was getting a lot of love across the league for defensive coordinator
Leonhard has his fair share of suitors across the league, having interviewed and reportedly attracting interest from the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and New York Jets, among others.
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was considered a top head-coaching candidate in the league, with Leonhard rumored to stay in Denver as their in-house replacement. Signs are now pointing to Joseph staying with the Broncos, allowing Leonhard to search for potential roles.
Leonhard joined the Broncos as their assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator, and flourished in the position. He’s an ultra-aggressive coach and one of the NFL’s prized jewels at the position.
Leonhard’s coaching career began with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2016 as the program’s defensive backs coach. He was promoted to DC in 2017 and hoped another promotion to HC would follow. He eventually became the interim HC in 2022, but moved on to bigger and better things after that stint didn’t work out.
Illinois hired Leonhard as a senior football analyst in 2023, before joining the Broncos a year later. He was named the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator before ultimately being promoted to assistant head coach.
Joe Brady and the Buffalo Bills are wasting no time in their defensive coordinator search
If Leonhard joins Buffalo, it’s a massive win for the organization. Leonhard has a proven track record in the league and is one of the most coveted coaches available. Brady and his coaching staff are already getting busy preparing for what the 2026 Buffalo Bills can look like.
Whether or not Leonhard lands in Buffalo, the early stages of Brady’s tenure are sending a clear message. The Bills aren’t easing into this new era; they’re swinging early, aiming high, and building with urgency.
If this is the standard for how Brady plans to shape his staff, Buffalo’s next chapter may move faster than anyone could have anticipated.
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