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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/donPitt14 on 2023-08-03 15:50:20.
2023 Offseason Review Series: Buffalo Bills
Division: AFC East
2022 Record: 13-3 1st in AFCE
Postseason: Lost in divisional round to Bengals
Coaching Changes:
Leslie Frazier (Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach) departure:
The biggest coaching move of the offseason came when the Bills announced that Leslie Frazier, the defensive coordinator for that past five (5) seasons, was “stepping back from football” for the upcoming season. After the announcement was made, Brandon Beane (Bills GM) and co. spoke in a manner consistent with this verbiage that implied the move was Frazier’s and not a team-forced decision. However, since his resignation Frazier has been reported to have visited with other teams within the league. Therefore it’s fair to speculate whether the decision was entirely Frazier’s to leave his post. One way or another the time had come for a change at the helm of this Bills defense. During his tenure as the Bills DC, Frazier led “elite” regular season defenses that were ultimately paper tigers against the league’s better offensive units. There’s no better evidence to this point than the last three Bills playoff exits in which Frazier’s defenses have allowed an average of 36 points and 468 yards in those games, one of which was the infamous 13 seconds debacle. In short, it was time for Frazier to go. His defensive philosophy of “bend but don’t break”, the lack of aggressiveness from the defensive front, and the utilization of prevent defense all really held back some otherwise talented Bills teams. With that being said, his leadership within the building and his years of experience will be missed by the organization.
Sean McDermott new defensive play caller:
Head Coach Sean McDermott has assumed the role of defensive play caller for the Bills’ 23-24 season. He last called plays as the DC for the Carolina Panthers from 2011-2017, which includes the Panthers 2015 Super Bowl run. When you factor in McDermott’s defensive background and the need at DC he was the obvious choice to replace Frazier, especially considering the awkward timing of Frazier’s departure. The news of Frazier’s departure broke on February 28 which was well into the coaching carousel. (For perspective, the 'Niners hired former Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks as their new DC on February 7, and the Miami Dolphins hired Vic Fangio on February 15). At this point in the offseason most if not all of the established DC’s that had been available were scooped up, and so the Bills either had to choose from within or search the remainder of the market. They chose the former and went with their head coach. There are two questions whose answers will prove to be the most vital to the success or failure of his unit in 2023:
- How well does he function as both the head coach and the defensive play caller?
First and foremost, this will be McDermott’s first season as both head coach and defensive coordinator. How well does he balance both roles, and can he be an effective head coach as well as an effective defensive coordinator? McDermott as a head coach has many strengths but one of his weaknesses is game management, which doesn’t become easier when you add play calling to his game day responsibilities. This is where the Bills coaching staff that they have built around McDermott will benefit him greatly. For the game management component Marc Lubick is on staff as the Bills game management coach. For the defensive responsibilities the Bills have several coaches in the room who have functioned as defensive coordinators in the league (e.g. Al Holcomb, Eric Washington), so he has strong support in handling those duties as well. If McDermott is going to succeed as the Bills defensive coordinator he appears to have the personal talent, past experience, and necessary support to do so.
- How much of the defense in past seasons was McDermott responsible for?
We don’t know how much of the recent defensive failures were McDermott’s fault. Leslie Frazier may have been the defensive coordinator, but McDermott is a veteran DC in the league and head coach of this team, so it’s fair to assume he had input into defensive scheming and game planning. Also, during this offseason there’s been a report that McDermott took over play calling during the 13 seconds debacle. We may never know if that’s true or not, but this season will at least tell us how much of McDermott’s influence has permeated this defense in the recent seasons. If the defense shows the same inconsistencies and lapses that it did in 2022, then it’s fair to be concerned about whether or not a McDermott-led defense can bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo.
Eric Washington promoted to Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach:
Washington has been the Bills defensive line coach since 2020 and has served as a senior defensive assistant. Washington will now assume Frazier’s former role of assistant head coach. Washington coached alongside McDermott in Carolina from 2011-2017, and following McDermott’s departure Washington took over as defensive coordinator for the Panthers. Washington and McDermott’s time on task and familiarity together should aid in his transition to assistant head coach. Also, as previously stated Washington has time as an NFL DC which should aid coach McDermott in his transition to play calling.
Jim Salgado (safeties coach) fired:
The first staff change of the offseason came only days after the bludgeoning at the hands of the Bengals, as it was announced that Salgado had been relieved of his position as safeties coach. Salgado had been with the Bills since McDermott’s arrival in Buffalo in 2017. This one’s a bit of a head scratcher. Salgado served as the team’s nickel coach for the 2021/2022 campaign where Taron Johnson really broke out as a premier slot CB. During the 2022 offseason he was transitioned from nickel coach to the safeties coach. The 2022 season saw the top three safeties on the team experience significant injuries which really hurt the position group, then only days after the playoff ousting he was let go from the team. It’s hard to blame him for the pitfalls of his position group within the context of the season, but clearly the team saw fit to make the change.
Joe Danna (safeties coach) hired:
Danna has been a defensive backs coach in the league since 2008 and most recently served as the Houston Texans safeties coach in 2022.
Al Holcomb hired as senior defensive assistant:
Al Holcomb joins the Bills defensive coaching staff after spending the last three seasons with the Carolina Panthers as their defensive run game coordinator. He also had a brief stint as the interim defensive coordinator in the 2022 season after the firing of Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow. As with Washington, Holcomb coached alongside Sean McDermott in Carolina when Holcomb was the linebackers coach there from 2013-2017. Holcomb’s resume includes coaching the elite linebacker tandem of Thomas Davis and Luke Keuchly. With the team in limbo at the linebacker position (more on that later), Holcomb will surely bring invaluable coaching to a position group that arguably will need the most coaching of the 2023 Bills roster.
Chad Hall (wide receivers coach) departure:
Chad Hall joined the Bills as an offensive assistant with the new regime in 2017, and in 2019 assumed the role of wide receivers coach. Hall was highly respected within the organization and a well-liked member of the coaching staff. His contract expired at the end of 2022/2023 and he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the same role. There hasn’t been a lot of information available on the circumstances surrounding Hall’s departure. Regardless, losing Hall was a big loss within the building, not only because of the length of his tenure but also the respect and admiration he commanded from the players.
Adam Henry hired as new wide receivers coach:
Henry joins the Bills after most recently coaching at the University of Indiana as a co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach. He also has multiple stops in the NFL as WR coach, serving tenures with San Francisco, NY Giants, Cleveland Browns, and the Dallas Cowboys. In joining the Bills, Henry will be tasked with getting the most out of guys who to this point have mostly been supporting cast in the league.
Free Agency:
Players lost/cut
| Player | Position | New Team |
|---|---|---|
| Case Keenum | QB | Houston Texans |
| Taiwan Jones | RB | FA |
| Devin Singletary | RB | Houston Texans |
| Isaiah McKenzie | WR | Indianapolis Colts |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | New York Giants |
| Jake Kumerow | WR | FA |
| Cole Beasley | WR | FA |
| Tommy Sweeney | TE | FA |
| Greg Van Roten | OG | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Bobby Hart | OG | FA |
| Roger Saffold | OG | FA |
| Justin Murray | OT | FA |
| Tremaine Edmunds | MLB | Chicago Bears |
| Jaquan Johnson | S | Las Vegas Raiders |
Most notable FA losses:
Tremaine Edmunds (LB) - Edmunds was drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft at pick 16 overall and was Brandon Beane’s second ever draft pick as GM of the Buffalo Bills (the first was none other than Josh Allen). Edmunds entered the league as a young athletic phenom with unlimited upside and has been the Bills starting MLB ever since. The Bills exercised his fifth year option for 2022 and a contract extension never…
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