Cornerback Maxwell Hairston has become the face of the struggles confronting the Buffalo Bills’ defense following a disappointing 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots. But while Hairston has drawn criticism for both his on-field play and his refusal to speak to media about his performance in Week 4—when he allowed a pair of touchdowns in one-on-one coverage against receiver Romeo Doubs—the fault does not squarely lie on Hairston’s shoulders.
Rather, first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s unit has encountered difficulties communicating on the field, getting on the same page in coverage, and coming up with big stops when the game is on the line. As was the case throughout Buffalo’s loss to New England. And Buffalo’s top three cornerbacks—Christian Benford, Dee Alford, and Hairston—each entered Week 4 ranked among the worst cornerbacks in the NFL in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
After four weeks, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by assessing the state of Buffalo’s defense backs following a 3-1 start and hearing what Hairston says he can do to get better in coverage.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Maxwell Hairston #1 of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Maxwell Hairston #1 of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
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Maxwell Hairston comes up short when Bills needed him most
It’s easy for Maxwell Hairston to be the poster child for Buffalo’s defensive woes. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, against the Patriots, Hairston, slotting into the CB1 role, allowed four receptions on eight targets for 44 yards, including a pair of fourth-down conversions in scenarios where Hairston played off coverage and allowed easy completions that extended drives, and two TD passes from Drake Maye to Romeo Doubs. To make matters worse, Hairston also committed a defensive holding penalty.
The Bills needed Hairston to step up with Benford out and injuries depleting the defensive backs. Instead, Hairston came up short. A day after walking out of the locker room, Hairston took responsibility for his play and his postgame antics, vowing to do better when the Bills take on Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
“Just my eyes at the top of the route, completing the rep,” Hairston said when asked what he can improve with his game. “Really just the biggest thing is fixing my eyes. (I should) Not (be) looking at the quarterback; the ball isn’t coming to me. I’m not the receiver. And I have to do better at finishing the route.”
But Hairston isn’t alone in his struggles. The Bills currently rank 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and are next-to-last in most first downs allowed per game. Hairston, Christian Benford, and nickel cornerback Dee Alford all rank among the bottom 10 cornerbacks in the league (minimum 100 coverage snaps) per Pro Football Focus coverage grade.
We reflect on Hairston’s struggles; dissect what has gone wrong with Buffalo’s defense through the first four games; and learn what Joe Brady and Jim Leonhard are doing in the search for answers to fix what ails the Bills on defense.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 4: Dee Alford #23 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 4: Dee Alford #23 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
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Bills notebook: Leonhard feels frustration of defense in ‘a results business’ - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Joe Brady backs ‘chosen one’ Maxwell Hairston as Bills defense searches for answers - The Athletic (subscription required)
Max Hairston returns to the podium, owns his walkout as Bills coaches back young cornerback - newyorkupstate.com
A day later, Maxwell Hairston owns up to his struggles, admits results must improve - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Bills CB Hairston sorry for skipping media, addresses struggles - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
Bills’ Maxwell Hairston owns mistakes after loss to Patriots - Democrat & Chronicle
Hairston apologizes for abruptly leaving locker room after Sunday’s loss - WGR 550
Maxwell Hairston apologizes, Joe Brady wants Dalton Kincaid more involved and Jim Leonhard on Cole Bishop’s alignment - BuffaloBills.com
Three CB Additions Bills Must Pursue After Secondary Melts Down vs. Patriots - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
The ‘Chosen One’ chose silence: Max Hairston left a Bills rookie to answer for a bad day - newyorkupstate.com
Even more Bills news
Examining where the Bills find themselves in the weekly NFL power rankings; Plus, get to know the newest member of Buffalo’s practice squad; and hear Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas discuss the loss to New England and how the Bills can rebound vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 4: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 4: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
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Buffalo Bills take major tumble in NFL power rankings after ugly loss to Patriots - newyorkupstate.com
Updated NFL Power Rankings: Where do the final three undefeated teams stand after four weeks? - ESPN.com
PFT’s Week 5 2026 NFL power rankings - NBC Sports
Bills NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Ugly Stretch Sends Buffalo Sliding - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: NFL.com
NFL MVP power rankings Week 5 - USA Today
Bills sign Damar Hamlin’s college teammate after injuries leave 3 healthy cornerbacks - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills sign CB A.J. Woods to the practice squad - BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills Sign Cornerback After Offensive Lineman Gets Poached - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Thurman Thomas: Bills-Patriots Reaction, Looking Ahead To Bills-Rams - BuffaloBills.com
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Buffalo Rumblings
Was McDermott Right??
McDermott was a great leader, apparently strict but great. His thought process was to build a bend but don’t break defense. Control the clock with an elite running, protecting the ball and creating turnovers. His thought process could have won us a Super Bowl last year. But a costly mistake by our Superman, was the straw that literally broke the camel’s back. We know that the defense got shredded and the offense had turnovers. But that one mistake in my opinion changed the Bills and may have cost us a Super Bowl appearance. If this team would have embodied his mentality who knows what could have been. McDermotts failure to be adaptable with his defense and yield better results on his side of the ball made the decision easier.
But in hindsight was his thinking on the right path. Our team put up major points this season. But we have reverted to a pass first team instead of a run first team. We got rid of our fullback and have run well. But this year it feels like an after thought. I think adapting to the McD philosophy and using our play action more effectively would help us. Tom Brady would dink and dunk his way down the field and take the shots the defense game him. I truly believe that’s what McD wanted for his team.
On the defensive side Beane and McDermott failed to identify and coach a stout Dline. I strongly believe that if McDermott had this years Defense and was willing to pressure more this would have been our year. I hope Leonhard would consider implementing elements of the McD scheme as this supposedly man coverage team is one of the top zone defenses this year. I hope Josh Brady would be humble enough to build on the solid foundation his predecessor left. Reign in the trash talk about this team’s greatness 4 weeks into a long season. IM LEGITIMATELY CONCERNED THAT THIS YEAR COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS. I hope that I’m wrong, but I really believe that McDermott was Right!!
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