Sizing up Jim Leonhard’s defense could become with the Buffalo Bills

The first major move made by new Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady was to bring in former Bills safety Jim Leonhard to serve as defensive coordinator.

As with the hire of any new coach, changes are surely coming to Buffalo’s defense. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by exploring the changes Leonhard, who has historically run a 3-4 defensive scheme, could bring to a Bills team that, for the last nine years, operated out of a 4-3 base defense.

What could Jim Leonhard’s defense look like?

During the Sean McDermott era in Western New York, the Bills employed a base 4-3 base defense that featured zone coverage, pre-snap disguises and didn’t emphasize a heavy blitz rate.

During his introductory press conference, Brady hinted at defensive changes for the Bills this year, stating that he wants to “attack opposing quarterbacks pre- and post-snap,” which could mean Bills fans could expect to see more blitzes in an effort to apply more pressure on the quarterback.

Enter Leonhard, who during his coaching career has emphasized the need for an aggressive and attacking defense. Examining Leonhard’s defensive tendencies in Denver, his unit tended to blitz at a high rate (20.9 percent, second-highest in the league last year), and he tended to play more man coverage (31.3 percent, fourth-highest).

Below: Exploring why a switch to a 3-4 defense makes sense for the Bills; analyzing which current defensive players are a good fit for Leonhard’s 3-4 scheme and which players could be on their way out in a new system; examining how the onus will be on Buffalo to create coverage-fueled sacks; and get to know the members of Leonhard’s defensive coaching staff.

• Bills analysis: Why Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 defense was the right choice for Buffalo – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• How ready are the Bills for a switch in defensive scheme under Jim Leonhard? – The Athletic (subscription required)
• Bills to chase coverage fueled sacks under Jim Leonhard – Democrat & Chronicle
• Five former players Jim Leonhard could bring to Buffalo to fix the Bills defense – newyorkupstate.com
• Bills need more from the defensive line and a new scheme may be the answer – Democrat & Chronicle
• Bills hire Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator to bolster defensive staff – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Jim Leonhard is assembling former Badgers on his Bills coaching staff and stealing from Minnesota in the process – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills

Bills end radio broadcast partnership with WGR

In a move to generate more revenue for the team, the Buffalo Bills have ended their radio broadcast partnership with WGR 550 and will now exclusively broadcast all of their preseason, regular season and playoff games, along with the team’s One Bills Live Show, exclusively on BuffaloBills.com and the Bills App.

The move ends a long partnership between the Bills and WGR and means that, beginning with the 2026 NFL season, the radio rights will be distributed exclusively by the team.

• Bills ending game broadcasts on WGR550 starting in 2026 – WGRZ
• Bills and Sabres to drive more revenue, access by taking on radio broadcasts – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Buffalo Bills to produce and distribute radio broadcasts for all games in 2026 – BuffaloBills.com
• Bills, Sabres end WGR partnership and take control of radio broadcasts – Democrat & Chronicle
• Alan Pergament: Bills, Sabres leaving WGR-AM as flagship station to sell and produce own games – Buffalo News (subscription required)

Even more Bills news

President of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane explains why he expects Tyler Bass to reclaim his role as Buffalo’s kicker in 2026. Plus, how Buffalo’s offensive line is bracing for changes this offseason; Stefon Diggs reflects on his time with the Bills; and more!

• GM Brandon Beane ‘would expect’ Tyler Bass to be Bills’ kicker next season – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Bills face offensive line shakeup after years of unmatched stability – Democrat & Chronicle
• Bills prepared to lose at least one starting offensive lineman this offseason – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Stefon Diggs’ emotional message to Bills Mafia will give you all the feels – newyorkupstate.com
• Mack Hollins says Buffalo Bills didn’t value him anymore after one season in Buffalo – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Therese Forton-Barnes soaking in Super Bowl experience as Bills’ Fan of the Year nominee in 2025 – WGR 550
• Former Bills quarterback named offensive coordinator for NY Jets – newyorkupstate.com

Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings

• Bills hiring a familiar name as OLB coach – Buffalo Rumblings
• Bills hiring pair of defensive coaches for Jim Leonhard’s new staff – Buffalo Rumblings
• Bills hire new WR coach away from the Cardinals – Buffalo Rumblings
• Brandon Beane emphasized importance of ‘going away’ for training camp to coaching candidates – Buffalo Rumblings