Bills hire Todd Downing as QBs coach

Todd Downing has agreed to terms to become the Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach.

Downing, 33, will enter his 12th year in the NFL coaching ranks and fourth as a quarterbacks coach. He served in the same capacity with the Detroit Lions from 2011-13 helping Lions QB Matthew Stafford become the Lions' franchise leading passer (17,457 career passing yards) in 2013.

Downing has worked with two quarterbacks on the Bills' current roster – Thad Lewis in 2013 with Detroit and EJ Manuel during the 2013 Senior Bowl.

"Todd Downing is a bright and energetic coach. He is familiar with our personnel at the quarterback position and he will play a key role in the development of all of the quarterbacks on the Bills' roster," said Bills head coach Doug Marrone. "He played a pivotal role in the development of Detroit's quarterbacks during his tenure – most notably Matthew Stafford, the franchise's all-time leading passer. Downing will be a valuable addition to our offensive coaching staff."

In Downing's first two seasons (2011-12) as the Lions' QB coach, Stafford tallied 10,005 passing yards which ranks as the fourth most passing yards in NFL history over a two-year span. Under Downing's tutelage, Stafford set Detroit single season franchise records for passing yards (5,038) and touchdowns (41) in 2011. Stafford also set single season franchise records for completions (435) and pass attempts (272) in 2012.

Downing joined Detroit in 2009 as an offensive quality control coach before being promoted to the role of assistant quarterbacks coach in 2010.

Downing originally entered the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, spending three years on the Vikings coaching staff as the offensive quality control coach (2005) and football systems analyst (2003-04), helping the Vikings become a top-five offense in three consecutive seasons and a playoff appearance in 2004. After leaving the Vikings, Downing worked with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive assistant/assistant special teams coach (2006-07) before being promoted to the role of assistant secondary/defensive quality control coach (2008).

Prior to entering the NFL ranks, Downing began his coaching career with Eden Prairie High School in Minneapolis (1999-2000). In 2000, he helped his alma mater to the Minnesota Class 5-A state title.