Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is stepping away from coaching and will not return in 2023, according to an announcement from the team.
The Bills, who were favored to win Super Bowl 57 for most of last season, could not get past the divisional round and are gearing up to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy. Based on their announcement from Tuesday morning, they will be doing so without Frazier.
Per the release, the DC has “decided to take a year off from coaching” and plans to return for the 2024 season.
The former cornerback and Super Bowl champion has been with the Bills since 2017, operating as their DC until 2020, when the role of assistant head coach was added to his job description. Since his appointment as defensive coordinator, the Bills have ranked in the top five NFL defenses on multiple occasions. They have allowed an average of 20 points per game since 2017, which is good enough for third in the league.
They rank first in total yards per game with 315 and first in passing yards with 202, while they’ve allowed 107 passing touchdowns, also putting them first in said category.
The Buffalo defense ranks second in both interceptions and takeaways with 99 and 158 respectively.
