Buffalo Bills to appoint Jim Leonhard as DC

Ex-Buffalo footballer Jim Leonhard is expected to be appointed as the franchise’s DC.

The appointment will mark a change in direction on the defensive side of the ball after Sean McDermott was dismissed after 9 years leading the team and their defense.

Jim, who is 43 years old, is currently the defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach with the Broncos. In the current campaign, Denver put up 68 sacks, 4 short of tying the single-campaign record (72, 1984 Bears), and allowed the 2^nd-fewest yards per match (278.2).

The new Bills defensive coordinator joined Denver 2 years ago as the defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach.

Before that, Leonhard was a senior football analyst at Illinois and spent 2016-22 coaching at Wisconsin, including all but 1 season as the DC and spending some of the 2022 campaign as interim manager.

Undrafted out of Wisconsin, Jim played for Buffalo from 2005 to 2007 and in 2013. He has also been part of the Ravens, Jets, Broncos, and Browns during his 10 campaigns in the league as a safety.

More on this topic:

Bills promoting offensive coordinator Brady to replace McDermott

Buffalo’s new head coach, Joe Brady, had never worked with Leonhard before.

Sources: The #Bills are hiring #Broncos defensive passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator. They have agreed to terms.

A big hire for new coach Joe Brady. The former player, Leonhard was coveted. pic.twitter.com/rdWu9YX8wM

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2026