The Bills hired Broncos assistant coach Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator

The Buffalo Bills will hire Denver Broncos assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhardt as their new defensive coordinator, network insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday morning.

A new-look Buffalo Bill coaching staff continues to take shape with other relevant editions through Rookie Head Coach Joe Brady.

The Buffalo Bills are hiring Denver Broncos assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard to be their new defensive coordinator, Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday morning.

Buffalo has since announced Leonard's hiring.

Leonhard joins new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., who was hired Friday, as Brady's second lieutenant coach.

The 43-year-old former coach is growing rapidly in the coaching world, joining the Broncos as a 2024 cross-defense / game coordinator and appointed assistant coach in 2025. Leonhard, a 10-year veteran, has played four seasons with the Bills since 2005 for free.

He helped lead the Broncos to the 2025 AFC Championship game with a Divisional Round overtime victory over the Bills.Now, Leonhard has been tasked with helping fulfill Buffalo's hopes of reaching the Super Bowl.

With Brady entering his first season as head coach, Leonhard will take over the DC role for the first time, replacing Bobby Babich, the team's defensive coordinator for the past two years, in the title role and filling the vacancy left by former head coach Sean McDermott, who handled the Ports' defensive duties.

Leonhard gained valuable experience at Wisconsin, serving as the Badgers' defensive coordinator from 2017-22 and as the team's interim head coach in his final year.

After proving to be a valuable contributor to Patrick Surtain II's rise to 2024 AP Defensive Player of the Year and the Broncos' No.