Bills Coach Leslie Frazier Taking Leave of Absence

The Buffalo Bills announced that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will temporarily be stepping away from the team.

The Buffalo Bills announced Tuesday that assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has decided to a year off from coaching for undisclosed reasons but plans to return in 2024.

However, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, “it’s not clear that he’ll be back in Buffalo in 2024.”

The Bills have not yet announced who Frazier’s replacement will be.

Frazier, 63, has accumulated over 20 years of NFL coaching experience since becoming the Bills’ defensive coordinator in 2017.

Under his regime, the Bills have been one of the best defenses in the league. In 2021, the Bills had an elite defensive unit that allowed the fewest passing yards (272.8) and points per game (17). This past season, Buffalo’s defense put up similarly elite numbers, surrendering the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (104.6) and the second-fewest points per game (17.9).

Frazier was seen as a potential candidate to fill a head-coaching role this offseason, but did not end up with getting any offers that gained traction. He previously served as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2011 through 2013 in what his first time with the title, but hasn’t had similar responsibilities since then.

The Buffalo defense now enters a season of unfamiliarity, as they’ll have to play at similarly high expectations without Frazier on the sidelines. However, with his absence only set to last for a year, it’ll be a temporary discomfort.

---

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

Thanks for reading our SI-powered coverage of your Buffalo Bills ... Bills Mafia!

Get your Buffalo game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

You're a member of Bills Mafia hungry for more Buffalo coverage? Read here.