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OTAs

Bills OTAs | Jim Leonhard defines his defensive terminology, Year 2 players aim to take a jump

Jim Leonhard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills OTA Day 4, May 26, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jim Leonhard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills OTA Day 4, May 26, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.

The Bills were on the field Tuesday for their second week of organized team activities (OTAs).

Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard spoke to the media before practice, detailing terminology about the team's new scheme, his plans for specific players and more. We also heard from several key defensive players after practice about their adjustment to the system.

Defining the Terminology in Bills' New Defensive Scheme

With Leonhard taking the reins of Buffalo's defense, the biggest schematic change is taking place up front. Under Leonhard, the Bills will now operate in a 3-4 alignment as their base defense but plan to be flexible in their sub package alignment depending on down and distance.

"We've had a lot of meetings as coaches just putting the scheme together, big picture," Leonhard said. "And then with the players as far as just what the changes are going to be, how we want to get this thing started."

In a 3-4 base, defensive line position terminology is different from Buffalo's defenses of the past. Leonhard helped define them Tuesday, starting with defensive ends/edge rushers/outside linebackers.

"Think of your outside linebackers more as your defensive ends in this system," Leonhard said. "Who's going to be the edges of your defense? That would fall more to those outside backers."

Players like Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, TJ Parker, Andre Jones Jr., Michael Hoecht and Javon Solomon were all listed as defensive ends (DEs) or edges last year. Now, they are outside linebackers (OLBs) but will operate as edge rushers with the ability to play in coverage if needed.

Defensive ends are now aligned more inside, shading their positioning to inside of the tackle on the left or right side. Leonhard specifically mentioned second-year player Landon Jackson as someone who will classify as a DE.

"He sees the vision of the defense and what his role can be in it," Leonhard said.

Traditional defensive tackles like Ed Oliver, TJ Sanders and rookie Zane Durant will line up next to the nose tackle.

"If you said any interior A-gap (space between the center and the guard) or B-gap (space between the guard and the tackle) players are your traditional defensive tackles, you are spot on," Leonhard shared.

The Bills DC sees this change as a way to continue to unlock Oliver's game.

"I think Ed's going to be really disruptive in this defense," Leonhard said. "The base defense being more different for him than what it's been in the past, and in all reality, a little bit more freedom than he's had in the past. The sub package things are a little bit more familiar to what they've done here from a front structure."

The alignment of a nose tackle in a 3-4 is either right over the center or slightly shaded left or right. Leonhard's defenses when coaching at Wisconsin operated without shading. Deone Walker and DeWayne Carter are players that Leonhard mentioned by name as potential fits at nose.

"Right now, there's a number of players that we're repping in that position," the DC said. "Whether you're a zero, a shade — the techniques that you can use — there's a lot of different ways to get it done. And it might be a little bit on an individual basis on who's in there and what we're going to ask them to do."

OTAs are the first part of the offseason where team drills take place — the first time Leonhard's defense has come to life in a live setting.

"To get on the field and really get a sense of what they understand and how fast and how well they can execute it. That's the most exciting part right now," he said.

Year 2 Players Looking for Clean Bill of Health

The Bills invested premium draft picks on their defense in both 2025 and 2026.

Early returns on top picks from the 2025 class are encouraging but still inconsistent at this point. CB Maxwell Hairston, DT TJ Sanders and DE Landon Jackson all dealt with injuries during their rookie year, muddying their evaluation.

While talented, the way for them to show they can be impact players at the pro level is by staying healthy.

"I want to play a full season. I want to be out there with the guys, doing my job," Hairston said.

Hairston shared that Leonhard is "one of the smartest" coaches he's been around and someone that has helped the second-year corner in his blitzing and coverage technique.

"He's a genius, man. But he's cool," Hairston laughed.

Leonhard added, "You saw some big-play potential, and felt like he was a guy that you have to create some vision for in your defense. We want to keep him healthy for a whole season. That's the one thing that's going to be a big challenge for him, is just continuing to grow into that NFL body and be available every week."

Likewise, TJ Sanders dealt with injuries of his own, a knee ailment that landed him on injured reserve midseason. Though he returned to play late in the season, Sanders spoke about the mental hurdle and not fully trusting that his body had healed.

"Trying to come back and being an explosive guy like myself, twitchy — that's my game is pressing off and moving quickly. Having to think about that as I'm trying to come back was definitely scary, but having guys in my corner, even the training room, guys that help you just push through that mental aspect," he said.

Sanders said leaning on veterans in the Bills locker room helped his mentality and he is "100%" in a better place going into this season.

Same goes for Jackson who rehabbed from a knee injury of his own and even added considerable strength to his frame. Drafted at 264 pounds, Jackson plans to play the 2026 season at 285.

"Doing everything out there right now, fully cleared. My body is feeling great," he said.

Jackson played in a similar defensive system at Arkansas and thinks it will benefit the trajectory of his career.

"This new defense that we're going to is something that I've thrived in at Arkansas. That's what got me to this level so switching to that defense really excited me," he said.

Whether it's Buffalo's Year 2 defensive players or anyone else on the defense, Leonhard maintains that a key component of rebounding from an injury is believing in yourself.

"Anytime you're coming off an injury, the number one thing is just confidence. The confidence in your body, the confidence that it's going to respond the way that you want and what you expect," he said.

Scroll to see the best photos as the Buffalo Bills take part in Day 4 of Voluntary OTAs at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.

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