The Buffalo Bills again followed their pattern of missing deep playoff success after their crushing 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. It led to a revamp of the coaching staff in Buffalo, starting with the firing of head coach Sean McDermott.
After replacing McDermott with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, the front office sought to replenish the coaching staff on the defensive side. NFL analyst Adam Schefter reported the Bills have hired New York Giants‘ inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu, who has experience with the system after having worked in Buffalo from 2017-2020.
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John Egorugwu, New York Giants inside linebackers coach, talks to reporters before mandatory minicamp at the Giants training center.Syndication: The Record
(Syndication: The Record)
Egorugwu has been working with professional linebackers since 2015, when he started his NFL coaching career with the Baltimore Ravens, although he was the defensive quality control coach his first year in Buffalo. He’s also had successful college stints with the Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores, where he developed a reputation for helping young linebackers progress.
His familiarity with the system adds an element of continuity after a major offseason overhaul for the Bills. The task in front of him is massive, though. He will be responsible for repairing the defensive struggles exposed in the 2025 playoff loss.
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The Bills also brought in Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai as their cornerbacks coach. Jahmile Addae, credited with developing Buffalo’s secondary, has departed for the Miami Dolphins, which opened up an empty spot.
Valai is a 34-year-old former Wisconsin Badgers cornerback who played alongside Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard. He is known for his detail-oriented teaching style and developmental resume.
Bills’ Serious Need To Replace Jahmile Addae
Addae’s exit marked a severe blow to the defensive coaching staff. Buffalo’s secondary was considered one of the best units in the league.
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The Bills cornerbacks group allowed the fewest total passing yards in the league with 2,668, along with just 156.9 passing yards per game, putting them right up there with the best teams of the league. Under Addae, Christian Benford emerged as an elite cornerback, putting up two interceptions and a fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns in 2025.
The Bills’ decision to selectively reshape their defensive coaching staff shows they have somewhat of a targeted approach to solving recurring issues. It is also indicative that the Bills are not losing hope on their Super Bowl window with quarterback Josh Allen at the helm. They are focusing on refining the details because they are able to achieve regular-season objectives, but when it comes to the playoffs, they have had severe struggles.
And in the NFL playoffs, details decide the outcome more than star power. Execution is king, and a matter of inches dictates the fate of teams.
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Related: Bills Coach Admits ‘Regret’ Over Josh Allen Comment
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.