3 Bold Predictions for the Buffalo Bills Defense Under DC Bobby Babich

For the first time since 2017, the Buffalo Bills defense will no longer be led by Sean McDermott or Leslie Frazier. Since the new coaching regimen in 2017, the Bills have had one of the best defensive units in the league and part of that is because of the way they run plays. Frazier was in Buffalo from 2017-22 and stepped away from the organization, forcing McDermott to run plays. Having himself been the defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, McDermott did a fantastic job last year considering all the injuries on the defense.

Heading into this season, former linebackers coach Bobby Babich will be the team’s new defensive coordinator and it was the best move the Bills could have made this offseason. Babich has been with the organization since 2017 and has worked his way up to his current position. Over the last two seasons, Babich has spent time as the linebackers coach, which has allowed him to help develop a room that is arguably the strongest unit on this defense. There is a lot to look forward to with Babich calling the plays, despite the major changes that have been made.

If there is one Bills player who emerged as a rising star last season, it was linebacker Terrel Bernard. He had a lot of responsibility to shoulder with Tremaine Edmunds leaving for Chicago last season and Bernard showed us that he was up for the challenge. Bernard was everywhere with 143 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries. The fact that Bernard had better stats last season than Matt Milano did in 2022 where he earned first-team All-Pro honors.

Now that Milano is back from his injury last season, Bills fans will have the chance to see this dynamic duo on the field for more than five games (hopefully). Bernard shined last year and there is hope that he will only get better. In Babich’s first year running the defensive play, Bernard has the chance to not only elevate his game, but also become a top-10 linebacker himself in 2024.

Buffalo’s defensive unit that has undergone a lot of changes this offseason is the secondary. Micah Hyde is considering retirement (with the possibility of returning to the Bills), Jordan Poyer is down south with the Miami Dolphins, and Tre’Davious White is on the West Coast with the Los Angeles Rams. That secondary now has Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, and Cole Bishop in center field. On the outside, Rasul Douglas is the No. 1 corner, and there will be competition between Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford for the CB2 spot. Taron Johnson returns at nickel, which earned him a three-year contract extension from the Bills last free agency.

Buffalo has consistently had one of the strongest secondary defenses since McDermott took over. As a defensive back himself at William & Mary, he knows a thing or two about pass defense. Plus, Babich joined the Bills organization as the coach of the secondary himself. It’s hard to believe that, despite making big changes this offseason, the Bills won’t have a top-10 pass defense in 2024.

Last season was the first time in a long time that the Bills looked like they had a consistent offense. Leonard Floyd led the Bills in sacks with 10.5 but is no longer with the team after signing a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. However, players like Ed Oliver and AJ Epenesa all had breakout seasons last year, particularly helping the Bills create a consistent offense on the line. Epenesa re-signed with the Bills on a two-year deal and Oliver showed us all what he can do even without DaQuan Jones on the line.

Buffalo’s defense was aggressive last year. Before last season, there was concern that the defense wasn’t playing hard. That all changed last year and it helped Buffalo dominate many opponents.

Under Babich’s watch, there’s a good chance there will be at least three players who are close to the 10-sack group, if not more. With the Bills’ continuity and scheme, this unit should produce another exciting year for Bills fans.