The Buffalo Bills have one breakout candidate to keep an eye on — and he won’t play a single snap in 2026

There are plenty of breakout candidates across the NFL. The Buffalo Bills have one that won’t play a snap in 2026.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Jim Leonhard reacts to a play during the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills‘ coaching transition is one of the league’s most high-stakes ones of 2026.

After all, this is the prime of Josh Allen’s career that we’re talking about here. With Joe Brady stepping up to the lead job, his ability to assemble staff will take center stage. For years, former head coach Sean McDermott was the steward of the defense. But now, Jim Leonhard will call the defense. For Bills fans anxious about how the effort will go, there’s some solace to be found in a new story from ‘The Athletic’. They’ve named Leonhard as Buffalo’s coaching assistant breakout as part of a polling of NFL personnel & sources.

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard named assistant coach breakout candidate in 2026 by The Athletic

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Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Jim Leonhard.

“Conversations about Leonhard as a future NFL defensive coordinator circulated between coaches and executives well before Leonhard left the college game for his first pro assistant job in 2024 in Denver. Helping coach one of the best defenses in football under Broncos DC Vance Joseph made Leonhard a big hire for first-year Buffalo coach Joe Brady.”

— Jordan Rodrigue, The Athletic

Leonhard has been renowned for his scheme and coaching ability for years, going all the way back to Wisconsin. The path he’s taken to finally landing a defensive coordinator gig at the NFL level has been a long and winding one. But one thing that’s been constant at every stop? His defenses have been stellar. It’s hard to expect any different from Leonhard in Buffalo. That said, there may be some growing pains amid the transition away from Sean McDermott’s scheme.

I’d certainly buy the idea that NFL teams will have a watchful eye on Leonhard this season, given the respect he’s commanded as a coach for a long time now. He’s just now getting his chance to elevate up the NFL ladder. Should he and his players make the most of it, he may be Buffalo’s biggest breakout name of 2026.

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