OUTLOOK: Buffalo Bills EDGE Rusher Room Faces URGENT Overhaul Under Jim Leonhard?
Buffalo Bills face critical questions at edge rusher as the new Jim Leonhard defensive scheme challenges last year’s lineup. Can Greg Rousseau, fresh off leading the team in pressures but missing elite sack numbers, anchor a revamped unit? With Joey Bosa’s future uncertain and A.J. Epenesa hitting free agency, Brandon Beane must make bold moves to energize the pass rush.
Joe Marino breaks down the roles of returning players—Michael Hoecht’s comeback from Achilles injury, Javon Solomon’s skill fit in a linebacker-heavy front, and Landon Jackson’s struggle to recover and adapt. The discussion spotlights scheme fits, key contract situations, and the urgent need for an impact edge rusher alongside a top target at wide receiver. Can Buffalo finally assemble the right mix to push their defense over the top? Don’t miss this definitive preview of what the Bills need to thrive in 2026.
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21 comments
Hopefully Rousseau can get a little better. Oliver needs to go
Greg is not the 16th best D-end in the league. Good football player, isn't what they drafted or what they are paying him. Comparing him to the best isn't relevant, he isn't close to that and is paid half. You should be able to get better production for the same money. He is playing to his contract but barely. They need more, the pay him too much, that limits their chances to improve. He is not a top 20 edge player in this league. Sorry.
8:12 gotta think the wrist injury effected that number too
Turn Langdon Jackson into a TE 😂
This team is doomed. As of today the Bills have ZERO outside "rush" linebackers. 6 – 11 the first year in the new Highmark
Bedpan Stadium!
Beane needs to do a better job of drafting. Too many busts.
But, but, I thought pegula & president Beane emphatically stated this roster was Super Bowl quality, Super Bowl ready , and Mcd was fired for saying it wasn’t and underperforming with such a good roster. Are you saying the new regime needs to have a better roster to meet expectations? Yeah I think that’s what’s being implied. Grunt is good , he is what he has been; he lacks bend to ever be a premiere sack producer. He’s a clean up guy for sure and that’s ok. It’s just the double speak from Beane that has turned my opinion of him. He’s been a good, not great gm and despite the coordinator hires, I still have serious doubts Brady is HC ready. He has enjoyed all the media praise or media touring so far , but I so far fail to see executive type leadership skills. Interviewing is one thing, actually producing high quality output is a different level. He’s no vrable in my eyes. Time will tell. Let’s not forget he has been part of the failures resulting in 0 sb appearances.
U know Allen every time a D player gets hurt is saying to himself, FML
If Joey Bosa had a somewhat impactful play or 2 against Denver we win that game
If Oliver & Hoecht stay healthy I think we're in the SB !!!
Epinoza is def worth 6 mil.
It appears that McD was not good at spotting talent for defense in the draft. Another reason he had to go.
Should be the 25th+ paid DE .. average/quality starter isn't worth 20mill per
How can you love the Bills but despise the NFL. What a putrid halftime choice. Anti United States. The NFL is so broken! I hope they lose millions of dollars from that crap!
Get rid of all these injured players. Need durability and continuity.
After tonight getting pressure with 4 is the name of the game.
Can anyone find out how much Terry Pegula is paying Joe Brady as HC? I'm guessing it's less than half what Robert Kraft is paying Mike Vrabel.
GO BILLS ✌🏼
The Seahawks once again prove, DEFENSE wins championships!
I’m sorry save all that analytical stats for somebody else. Greg Rousseau just doesn’t make enough impact plays..
IMO we are nowhere at the position. Everybody wants WR. But this are biggest need
I think this years draft should have a very good edge rusher pick and maybe a trade for a receiver (or something effective). Maybe vise versa. Seeing what these teams that have won the Super Bowl the last couple seasons are doing, it's very apparent their defense is what makes their win pretty inevitable. 30 points given up would have lost the game.