Bills’ OLB Bradley Chubb Uniquely Describes Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard

Buffalo’s newest outside linebacker Bradley Chubb recently revealed how impressed he’s been with Leonhard during the duo’s short time together this spring, and the veteran believes the first-year coordinator has ‘some of the most intricate’ blitzes and formations he’s ever seen.

Former University of Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard (right) speaks with a player during a past training camp practice at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula sent shockwaves throughout the NFL this past winter when it was announced that Buffalo had relieved longtime head coach Sean McDermott of his duties with the team from Western New York.

And, the Bills, of course, as every team subsequently does following its firing of a coach, bid McDermott farewell—albeit delayed—in a statement that thanked the veteran coach for his dedicated service over the last nine seasons in Orchard Park.

The former Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator, who is a native of the Lansdale, Pennsylvania, area, did the same.

But, to put it more bluntly—despite the attempt at portraying an amicable split—McDermott was fired for his defense’s continuous downfalls in the most crucial moments of the playoffs in January.

Enough was apparently enough for Pegula.

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula thanks all the laborers who put the stadium up in record time while speaking during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony which signaled the grand opening of the new Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Orchard Park, New York. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Pegula saw a ‘proverbial wall’ that Bills’ QB Josh Allen can’t seem to hurdle over

“My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver. I want to take you in the locker room after that game. 

“I looked around, (and the) first thing I noticed was our quarterback with his head down: crying. I looked at all the other players. I looked at their faces and our coaches’ (faces). I walked over to Josh, (and) he didn’t even acknowledge I was there,” Bills’ owner Terry Pegula said during a press conference with reporters at One Bills Drive in January.

“I saw the pain—Josh’s face at his presser—and I felt his pain. I know we can do better, and I know we will get better. I want to express my confidence in the guy sitting next to me, Brandon Beane, and the job he has done in resurrecting this franchise.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) walks off the field looking disappointed after having to settle for a field-goal attempt to tie the game after several unsuccessful drives during second-half action of the AFC divisional round playoff game between the Bills and the Denver Broncos at Empower FIeld at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on January 17, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“I’m not going to sit here and defend everything that we have done as a franchise, but the bottom line is we have attracted good people here . . . our seeding over the last seven years in the playoffs—five, two, three, two, two, two, six—an organization doesn’t carry that kind of record without being a great organization, and without having great players.”

Sure, that all sounds fine and dandy, doesn’t it?

I mean, after all, the defensive downfalls over the past eight years definitely didn’t have anything to do with the roster construction efforts of general manager Brandon Beane, right?

Well, that statement is questionable at best.

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula (left) and general manager Brandon Beane (right) head toward the field prior to the start of a Bills' preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Highmark Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

And, it’s something that will likely always leave an asterisk beside Beane’s name in Buffalo until he’s eventually gone from his current position with the franchise: whether that be with a Super Bowl ring on his finger or not.

Anyway, aside from that one sour sticking point, changes were made—fairly or unfairly, depending on who’s asked—and McDermott was the one ousted from One Bills Drive six months ago, while Beane was promoted—to president of football operations—along with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who is now the 21st head coach in team history.

The writing is on the wall.

Pegula wants his former MVP quarterback Josh Allen winning a title in Buffalo before too long . . . or more changes might be on the way sooner rather than later.

Jan. 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks with former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who is now the team's head coach, prior to the start of an AFC divisional round playoff game between the Bills and the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Buffalo’s newest head coach brought Leonhard aboard the “Brady Bunch”

So, with that in mind, one person who Beane and Brady brought in to help facilitate that order from the owner was new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was hired on January 31 to take over McDermott’s dismantled defense and make it whole again.

It’s a move that has been applauded by many throughout the NFL media landscape.

“It’s exciting to get on the field, you know? We’ve had a lot of meetings as coaches just putting the scheme together—big picture—and then with the players, as far as just what the changes are gonna’ be, and how we want to get this thing started (is where we’re at),” Bills’ defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said in his most recent media appearance at One Bills Drive back on May 26.

“You finally get to see it on the field, and put it together a little bit, and work through some of the issues, and see how comfortable (everyone is), right? It’s easy in a meeting setting or in a walkthrough setting to feel comfortable.

Former University of Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst (right) and former defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard (left) argue in vain against a Notre Dame touchdown reception during the second quarter of the team's collegiate football game on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“But, to get on the field—and really get a sense of what they understand and how fast and how well they can execute it—that’s the most exciting part right now.”

Leonhard, a former safety who just so happened to spend four of his 10 NFL seasons playing for Buffalo (2005-2007, 2013), has experience being a defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin when he was coaching there from 2016 to 2022.

He also was most recently with the Denver Broncos as the assistant head coach alongside longtime NFL head man Sean Payton, while also serving as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator under Vance Joseph, who is Denver’s current defensive coordinator.

And, although he was only overseeing the defensive backs in 2016 while in the collegiate ranks, Leonhard—who also played for the Badgers when he attended the school in Madison, Wisconsin, from 2001 to 2004—managed to make quite the name for himself while orchestrating one of the top defensive units in all of Division-I football during that span.

But, will his system work in the pros?

Former University of Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard is shown yelling on the sidelines during the first quarter of Wisconsin's collegiate football game against Purdue at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, October 22, 2022, in Madison, Wisconsin. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Buffalo’s prized free-agent acquisition sees potential in Leonhard’s scheme

Well, according to Bills’ veteran outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was signed by the team via free agency to help ease the transition to Leonhard’s preferred 3-4 defensive scheme this season, the team’s newest coordinator should be dubbed as the “Mad Scientist from Madison.”

Chubb, who signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with Buffalo back in March, is entering his ninth season in the league this year, so the veteran EDGE rusher has certainly seen a thing or two—as the saying goes—during his time in the league.

But, be that as it may, the 6-foot-4, 268-pound former Denver Bronco and Miami Dolphin defender apparently hasn’t seen anything quite like what he’s seeing in meetings and on the field from his newest defensive coach this offseason.

It’s almost as if Leonhard is wearing a lab coat while drawing up the plays he’s about to deploy in Buffalo in 2026.

Watch out, NFL offenses.

Dec. 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Former Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) sacks former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) and causes a fumble during the first half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

“My initial impression, man, he's like a mad scientist. Like, he just always stays the same, you know, throughout the whole time, but he draws up some of the most intricate blitzes and formations and stuff like that. So, it's really dope to see,” Buffalo’s pass-rusher Bradley Chubb said while appearing on the Centered on Buffalo podcast with former Bills’ center Eric Wood on Thursday.

“Everybody, you know, kind of runs the same things, but (it’s cool to see) how a coach puts his spin on it. And, coming into my rookie year . . . I had Vance Joseph as my head coach/defensive coordinator. Jim Leonhard comes from that (coaching) tree. 

“So, seeing the parallels from Year One to Year Nine, it's kind of crazy, you know? All the certain calls (are) starting to come back to me. I'm like, ‘Oh, I do remember this. I do remember the technique in this.’ So, it's been fun just to, you know, get around him. And . . . like I said, he's a serious, locked in guy. But, he also knows when to, you know, joke around and love up on the guys, as well.

“I’m excited to see how it goes throughout the season.”

Sep 25, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by former Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the fourth quarter of an NFL game at Empower Field | USA TODAY Sports

2026 results under new DC's different demeanor will be interesting to look back on

It’s plain to see: the players in Buffalo respect how Leonhard has presented himself thus far during his first stint as an NFL defensive coordinator.

But, as always, the results on the field on game days will be the ultimate measuring stick of success.

Leonhard’s former teammate, Eric Wood, also chimed in with his perspective of Buffalo’s newest defensive coordinator while speaking with Chubb during his most recent episode of the Centered on Buffalo podcast.

“I got to play with Jimmy in Buffalo, and played against him when he was with the Jets, and it's funny: he's got the same demeanor all the time. But, like, his intensity switches,” Wood added during the podcast with Chubb, who just turned 30 years old on June 24.

Nov 3, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former Buffalo Bills free safety Jim Leonhard (35) sprints onto the field prior to the start of a past NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ralph Wilson Stadium | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“He's able to keep (a poker face). Like, you read it on my face when I'm (angry). You can read it. With Jim, it's like he just stays (the same), but the intensity level switches even if you can't see it. 

“I always felt like that was super interesting about him.”

You know what else will be really interesting? To see how things play out for Leonhard’s unit in Buffalo in 2026. 

Is he the missing link to help quarterback Josh Allen finally get over the proverbial playoff wall that Terry Pegula has been seeing since January?

🧪 "He's like a mad scientist."

Bradley Chubb explains to @EWood70 why he's excited to play for Bills DC Jim Leonhard. 👀🦬 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/TE38XqDvqz

— Centered on Buffalo (@thebuffalopod) July 16, 2026

Players, fans, coaches, and media members alike will all find out in short order.

Training camp begins for the Bills on July 29 at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York.

It’s then that we’ll all collectively get to see exactly just what type of schematic concoctions that Jim “The Mad Scientist” Leonhard has been cooking up during his down time this summer.

Whatever it is, hopefully it produces an explosion of excitement on the field for fans.

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