The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era, hopefully one that results in the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. After Sean McDermott was fired, the Bills named their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, as the organization’s new head coach. Bobby Babich was not retained as defensive coordinator, and he ended up taking a job with the Green Bay Packers.
To replace Babich, Buffalo turned to Jim Leonhard, who was the passing game coordinator/assistant head coach of the Denver Broncos. While he had not been a defensive coordinator on the NFL level before, he did hold the role for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was the school’s interim head coach for half a season.
And as it turns out, hiring Leonhard helped the Bills attract one of the most coveted free agents on the market.
Bradley Chubb signed with the Buffalo Bills because of Jim Leonhard
Miami Dolphins, Bradley Chubb, NFL, Buffalo Bills, Jim Leonhard
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field prior to the game Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
On March 11, the first official day of NFL free agency, Buffalo agreed to a three-year contract with pass rusher Bradley Chubb. The deal is worth $43.5 million, but could be worth as much as $54.5 million if he hits all incentives.
Chubb, who racked up 8.5 sacks in his first year back from a torn ACL, did not play for Leonhard during his days with the Broncos, but felt that the new Bills defensive coordinator gives him the best shot of being success:
Bradley Chubb on playing for Bills DC Jim Leonhard: “It’s kind of a match made in heaven.” pic.twitter.com/ZJjH2NvzSk
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) March 12, 2026
“So it’s kind of funny how life works. When I first got to Denver, when I got drafted there, Vance Joseph was the head coach. So, he’s been the DC in Denver these last two years, and Coach Leonhard has come from that system. So it’s kind of a match made in heaven.
“It’s what I came into the league doing my first year, so I’m excited to get back into the system. I know he’s going to have his own tweaks and do different things to it. But what he preached to me was that it’s going to be the same. Getting after the quarterback, covering on the back end. Making sure we’re up front, reeking havoc, having good team defense … We’re trying to be aggressive on defense, set the tone.”
Anyone who is familiar with Leonhard’s defense from his days at Wisconsin knows that there are few in football who can generate pressure as creatively as he can. He is also well-known for getting more out of his players than many thought possible.
It will not be surprising in the least if Chubb adds another Pro Bowl to his already stellar NFL resume playing in Leonhard’s system.
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