JUST IN:Miami Dolphins interviewing a former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator for a DC position

Contributed by Ryan Talbot, rtalbot@nyup.com
Sign away one of their current or former coaches if you are unable to defeat them.

That might be the Miami Dolphins’ guiding principle when they look to replace their current defensive coordinator. Leslie Frazier, a former defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, will be interviewed by the Dolphins for the position of defensive coordinator, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Monday night. Vic Fangio, the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for 2023, and the team have parted ways amicably.

After joining the Bills in 2017, Frazier worked as their defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2022 and as their associate head coach from 2020 to 2022. However, in 2023, he made the decision to step away from coaching for a year. With Sean McDermott taking over as the defensive play-caller, the move was unexpected at the time, but Frazier spoke candidly about his choice during an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show.

According to Frazier, via Buffalo Rumblings, “It just got to a point for me Zach where I just felt like this was something I needed to do at this stage of my career.” “You know, given some of the events involving our team, including having to go to and remain in locations without being able to return home, the 2022 season was difficult. And while we prepared to return to the combine, I was sitting at home contemplating whether or not I wanted to return for an additional year. And I simply decided that I would take the year off and observe the situation unfold.

Frazier was not Miami’s first interview with any of the Bills’ coaches, past or present. Bobby Babich was been asked to an interview with Miami. In addition to being the linebackers coach for the Bills, Babich is being considered for the position of defensive coordinator. The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers have also requested to meet with him.