Bills Promote Coach Eric Washington to Replace Leslie Frazier

Buffalo Bills coaches Sean McDermott and Eric Washington spent multiple years together on the defensive staff for the Carolina Panthers.

The Buffalo Bills have all but confirmed that former defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will not be returning, though that felt like an easy assumption this offseason considering the unofficial feel of the situation and his announced plans to pursue other coaching opportunities elsewhere in the near future.

The Bills announced Wednesday that they have elevated defensive line coach Eric Washington to the role of assistant head coach, a role previously held by Frazier. Washington will still retain his role as d-line coach.

With coach Sean McDermott set to take over as defensive coordinator this upcoming season, Washington can now step in to command the team if needed since McDermott will have much more on his plate for a year that is once again Super Bowl-or-bust for the Bills.

McDermott and Washington spent multiple years together (2011-2016) on the defensive staff for the Carolina Panthers. The familiarity and trust is there, as it makes sense why McDermott would want to elevate him to assistant head coach.

Washington has over a decade of NFL coaching experience. He began as a defensive assistant with the Chicago Bears in 2008 before eventually joining the Panthers in 2011. He became Carolina's defensive coordinator in 2018, a role previously held by McDermott, but quickly made his way to Buffalo in 2020 to follow his fellow defensive guru.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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