The Buffalo Bills appear to believe that the reason they fell short (again) in 2025 was because of their defense. They fired head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. Meanwhile, they promoted Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach.
In order to get a new voice on defense, the Bills hired Jim Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator. Leonhard previously had been offered the defensive coordinator job with the Green Bay Packers a few years ago, but turned it down to stay at Wisconsin, where he believed he was in line to be the next head coach.
Through a series of unfortunate decisions made by the Wisconsin athletic department, Leonhard ended up with the Denver Broncos as their defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach.
The Buffalo Bills could reunite DJ Jones with Jim Leonhard via trade with the Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills, Jim Leonhard, DJ Jones, Denver Broncos
Sep 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) avoids Denver Broncos defensive tackle DJ. Jones (93) as he looks to pass in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The addition of Leonhard as defensive coordinator promises there will be great improvements on that side of the ball. Already, the Bills have been working hard on giving him the pieces that he needs to be successful.
That being said, Bleacher Report believes that trading for DJ Jones, who played for Leonhard on the Broncos, would be beneficial:
“Thus far, the Bills have made few notable moves to bolster their interior defensive line, which could be a problem if they rely solely on inexperienced starters and rookies.
“New Bills head coach Joe Brady hired defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was the defensive pass game coordinator on the Denver Broncos’ staff under Sean Payton over the last two years. He may be able to convince the Bills that D.J. Jones is worth acquiring to strengthen the run defense.
“Although Jones only played40 percentof the defensive snaps during the previous term, he logged 39 tackles (four for loss) and three sacks,missing just three tacklesall year.
“In Buffalo, Jones could play in an expanded role as the leader of a young interior group that shows a little more resistance against ground attacks.”
Jones is a nine-year veteran who is entering his age 31 season. Last season, playing 40% of defensive snaps, he tied his career-high with 3.0 sacks. An interior defensive lineman, he is not going to accumulate many tackles, but could be a much needed big body in the middle of the line.
An expanded role in Buffalo would certainly be intriguing, but he has never played more than 55% of defensive snaps in any season of his career, and he only did that in 2022.
If Leonhard wants Jones, the Bills should certainly look into what it might take to get him. However, talk of an expanded role in Buffalo may be overblown.
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