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Bills Defense: Run Woes Persist Despite Offseason Moves?
1 May
Summary
- Buffalo's run defense surrendered 136.2 yards per game last season.
- The team was second worst in the NFL on third-and-short situations.
- New coordinator Jim Leonhard's past schemes excelled against the run.
The Buffalo Bills made numerous defensive additions during the offseason, aiming to bolster their unit for the upcoming 2026 season. General Manager Brandon Beane focused heavily on defense, acquiring players like Bradley Chubb, Dee Alford, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Geno Stone, and drafting T.J. Parker and Davison Igbinosun.
However, a critical weakness persists: the run defense. The Bills were gashed for 136.2 rushing yards per game in 2025, the fifth-most in the league. This defensive deficiency was particularly evident in short-yardage situations, where they allowed opponents to convert 79 percent of the time, ranking second worst in the NFL.
Hope for improvement rests with new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Over the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Leonhard was part of defensive schemes that ranked third and second in run defense. If the Bills can implement his successful strategies effectively, their run defense might see significant improvement in 2026.
