Bills Ex Coach Leslie Frazier Hired by Seahawks

Leslie Frazer was the Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator from 2017-2022.

Former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Leslie Frazier has found his next landing spot. 

NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that Frazier has been hired as an assistant head coach by the Seattle Seahawks. The move comes after Seattle hired former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as its next head coach.

Leslie Frazier and Von Miller / © Jamie Germano, USA TODAY

Frazier came alongside head coach Sean McDermott as the defensive coordinator in 2017. After being the defensive playcaller for three seasons, Frazier had assistant head coach added to his role in 2020. Under Frazier, Buffalo consistently had one of the best defenses in football. In three of his final four seasons in Buffalo, the Bills ranked in the top three in points allowed per game during the regular season. 

The regular season success struggled to translate in the postseason, as the Bills defense had allowed an average of 35.67 points per game in their previous three playoff losses before 2023. Frazier and the Bills parted ways after the 2022 season. 

McDermott served as the Bills' defensive playcaller in 2023. Buffalo elevated Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator earlier this week amid interest from other teams in their vacancy at the position. 

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Frazier has been in the NFL since 1999, and that experience should be vital for a first-year head coach in Macdonald. Before landing in Buffalo, Frazier was a secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens (2016), defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-2015), Minnesota Vikings (2007-2010) and Cincinnati Bengals (2003). He was also the interim head coach for the Vikings in 2010 before earning the role full-time in 2011 and was the head coach for three seasons. Frazier was also a defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts (2005-2006) and Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2002).

Before entering the coaching ranks, Frazier played for the Chicago Bears as a defensive back for six seasons (1981-1986).