Jim Leonhard Admits Bills' Defensive Problems Fall on the Secondary

The Buffalo Bills have gotten pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, but that hasn't stopped them from giving up a lot of passing yards and touchdowns. And according to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, the problem isn't necessarily up front.

Instead, he believes the secondary needs to take a hard look at its performance.

Speaking on Monday as the team heads into their Bye Week, Leonhard was asked about the team's struggles defending the pass. His answer pointed directly to the players behind the defensive line, acknowledging that the issues have been more pronounced in the secondary than with the pass rush.

“Significantly more on the back seven than there is on the front,” Leonhard said.

Leonhard believes the defensive front has done enough to give the rest of the unit opportunities to make plays. That said, they have struggled to keep opposing offenses out of the end zone consistently.

They allow 28.5 points per game, rank second in yards per game (386.8) and passing yards per game (285.8), and lead the league in passing first downs per game (15.8).

“We're getting a ton of pressure. We're hitting the quarterback a lot,” Leonhard said.

He pointed to Buffalo's performance coming out of halftime against the Las Vegas Raiders as an example. During the first 10 plays of the second half, the Bills faced seven pass attempts and hit the quarterback five times. Despite that pressure, they still need to do a better job turning those opportunities into stops.

Part of the challenge is how quickly opposing quarterbacks have been getting the ball out. Leonhard noted that teams can use quick throws to limit the impact of the pass rush, putting more responsibility on the secondary to cover effectively and communicate before the ball is snapped.

Buffalo's aggressive coverage approach can also leave less room for disguise. When the defense is trying to match up with receivers and challenge offenses, any confusion or breakdown in communication can create opportunities for the quarterback.

That's an area Leonhard wants to see improve during the team's bye week. The Bills need to play with more confidence, communicate more clearly, and find ways to get their hands on the football.

Leonhard said that there's been "too many times" where the defense has looked "confused" he doesn't think there's a reason. It something he wants to clean up and plans to address as the team gets some time off during the bye.

Overall, the goal is to give the pass rush more time to finish plays, rather than letting quarterbacks get the ball out before the pressure can make an impact.

Leonhard's comments are a notable admission for a defense that has struggled to close out games consistently. Buffalo has had opportunities to get off the field, but missed assignments, coverage issues, and penalties have made it harder to turn pressure into meaningful results.

The first-year coordinator also acknowledged that the unit needs to be better when it matters most, particularly in the fourth quarter, when the Bills have allowed opponents to put points on the board.

Buffalo enters the bye week at 5-1, but the team's defensive performance remains an issue it must address before returning to face Baltimore in a game with major AFC playoff implications.

The pass rush has shown it can disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Now, Leonhard needs the secondary to do its part so those pressures can lead to more incompletions, turnovers and stops. Maybe it starts with the return of a longtime member of the team.