Bills’ Frazier taking a year off from coaching

Buffalo Bills defensive co-ordinator Leslie Frazier is taking a year off from coaching, but plans to return for the 2024 season, the team announced Tuesday.

The team did not provide any other details on Frazier’s decision, which comes a little over five weeks after the three-time AFC East champion Bills were eliminated with a 27-10 loss to Cincinnati in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Speaking at the NFL combine at Indianapolis, general manager Brandon Beane said Frazier informed the team of his decision last week.

“Leslie reached out and we talked through some things. Ultimately, he didn’t want to retire. He’s not there in his mind, but he just wanted to take a step back,” Beane said. “The way we left it, he’s going to take 2023 off. But talking to him, he has full plans to return to coaching in 2024.”

Beane said the team is still working through how to fill the vacancy, noting the Bills have plenty of experience on their defensive coaching staff. The coaches include Al Holcomb, who was hired this off-season to serve as a senior defensive assistant, and defensive line coach Eric Washington, who also has past experience as a co-ordinator.

Another option would be head coach Sean McDermott taking over the defensive play-calling duties.

Holcomb finished last season as the Carolina Panthers’ defensive co-ordinator under interim coach Steve Wilks after Matt Rhule was fired. Holcomb has ties with McDermott, when he was the linebackers coach during McDermott’s final four seasons as the Panthers’ defensive co-ordinator before he was hired by Buffalo in 2017.