Bills DC Leslie Frazier decides to take year off from coaching

INDIANAPOLIS — Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is taking a year off from coaching, the team announced Tuesday.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane said at the NFL combine that Frazier reached out last week to say that he wanted to take a step back. Frazier clarified that he did not want to retire and was adamant about returning to coaching.

Frazier plans to return for the 2024 season, according to the team, but Beane said that they weren’t sure if his return would definitely be with the Bills.

When it comes to filling the role, the possibility has been left open for Sean McDermott to call the defensive plays. The team is still working through possibilities and does not have any interviews set up with outside candidates at this time.

Frazier has been the Bills’ defensive coordinator since he was hired by McDermott in 2017. The Buffalo defense has been one of the best in the league over the past six years. Since 2017, the Bills have led the league in yards allowed (315 per game) and have been second in takeaways (158).

Frazier was the Minnesota Vikings‘ head coach from 2010 to 2013, initially taking over on an interim basis. He had a 21-32-1 record.

The former defensive back will be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 for his time at Alcorn State. He also played in the NFL for five seasons, including on the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense.