JUST IN:Bills Replace Sean McDermott as Defensive Coordinator Following the Season

After one season under Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills are replacing him as defensive coordinator, elevating a young position coach to the post.

On January 30, the team declared that Bobby Babich, the linebackers coach, will take over as the defensive coordinator. Babich is regarded as a rising talent in the defensive coaching field, drawing interest from numerous clubs looking to fill defensive coordinator positions. The Miami Dolphins have conducted multiple interviews with Babich.

The versatile coach will be able to stay with the Bills and relieve some of the pressure on their head coach as a result of the transfer.

Bobby Babich Was Excellent in a Variety of Roles
Babich started as the Bills’ safeties coach before taking over as linebackers coach when his father, Bob Babich, retired. Babich has expertise coaching a variety of position groupings. He was excellent in both capacities, assisting in the development of All-Pro safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer as well as anchoring one of the league’s top linebacking units this season behind Matt Milano and breakout player Terrel Bernard.

Under Babich’s leadership, the Bills’ defense developed into one of the best in the league, as NFL.com writer Michael Baca pointed out.

The research stated that the Bills were third in the NFL in takeaways (25) and seventh in interceptions (15) in 2020 before rising to the top of the league in 2021 as a defensive team, finishing first in passing yards allowed and passing yards per play.

Following Leslie Frazier’s resignation during the previous offseason, McDermott assumed the role of defensive coordinator. McDermott was able to keep the team among the best in the league despite the injuries to a number of important players, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and Milano.

Babich was well-liked by McDermott, who gave some props to him for his efforts during the team’s season-ending news conference.

Bobby is a skilled trainer. As reported by The Athletic, McDermott stated, “He’s developed players.” “It seems to me that when assessing a coach, are you improving upon what you already have? Bobby took care of it; it doesn’t need to get any more complicated than that.Although Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic stated that McDermott would fully trust Babich, he did not specify which coach will call plays for the upcoming campaign.

But Babich is probably the guy McDermott could rely on to manage his defense in a manner akin to his own, according to Buscaglia’s analysis. “McDermott also has a strong sense of self-awareness regarding his career, knowing that when he was younger, a coach and a team trusted him to perform the same.” Therefore, that might make any reluctance to give up calling the plays easier.

Bills Solidify Offensive Coordinator Babich’s elevation occurred just two days before the Bills’ official appointment of Joe Brady as the team’s permanent offensive coordinator. After Ken Dorsey was fired in November, Brady took over as interim manager and guided the team to a five-game winning streak to close the season.

Josh Allen, the quarterback, recommended Brady’s hiring, saying on locker clean-out day that he hoped the team would select Brady for the position the following season.

“I’d welcome it wholeheartedly. Joe is my love. According to The Associated Press, Allen stated, “I adore what he brings to the team.” “I believe we improved upon some basic ideas and went back to them with him.”