Bills DC Leslie Frazier to Take 2023 Season Off

The 63-year-old has been a staple in Buffalo since 2017.

The Bills will be in need of a new defensive coordinator next fall after announcing that Leslie Frazier plans to take the 2023 season off from coaching. 

In a release Tuesday morning, Buffalo revealed that Frazier will step back from his top assistant role next season. However, the well-regarded defensive coordinator plans to return to the sidelines in 2024 after a year away. 

The franchise did not reveal Frazier’s reason for taking the year off or who his replacement will be in the release.

Frazier, 63, has been the Bills defensive coordinator under head coach Sean McDermott since 2017. Over those six seasons, Buffalo has been one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, allowing an average of 20 points per game (3rd in the league during that span) and 315 yards per game (1st). 

Frazier, who also held the title of assistant head coach for the Bills from 2020 to ’22, boasts an accomplished coaching career which includes winning a Super Bowl as the defensive backs coach with the Colts in ’06. He’s also had stints as the head coach and defensive coordinator with the Vikings, as well as the DC of the Buccaneers and Bengals.