Buffalo Bills hires senior defense assistant linked to Sean McDermott (report)

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly hiring former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Al Holcomb as a senior defensive assistant, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported.

Holcomb spent four seasons under Sean McDermott when he was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator from 2013 to 2017. Steve Wilkes took over as interim head coach for the Carolinas last season following the departure of Matt Rule and placed Holcomb in charge of defensive play.

When the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs in the divisional round for the second straight season last month, many fans wondered if the Bills would make significant changes to several key coaching positions. Last week, the Bills replaced safety coach Jim Salgado with former Houston Texans safety coach Joe Danna.

Last March, the Bills promoted defensive line coach Eric Washington to senior defensive assistant, and he is still listed as such on the team’s website.

Holcomb was the Panthers’ linebacker coach during their Super Bowl run and worked with the likes of Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson. Current Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu praised Holcomb in comments made to Mike Kay of The Charlotte Observer last month.

“Al – I can say – one of the best linebacker coaches in the league when it comes to lighting, planning and placing guys – finds their strengths in defense,” he said.

Last season, The Bills promoted Bobby Babic to replace his father, Bob Babic, who retired after the 2021 season. Holcomb could bring another vote into that room, and it could be needed if the team moves away from middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who is set to enter free agency next month.

Holcomb was rumored to have followed McDermott to Buffalo back in 2017 when he took over as head coach, but he ended up hiring Leslie Frazier as his defensive coordinator. This week, the San Francisco 49ers hired Wilks as their new defensive coordinator after he lost the Panthers head coaching job to Frank Reich.

Holcomb’s joining the staff could be both future and present. Frazier will turn 64 in April, and his successor is likely not part of the current Bills quarterback. It’s possible McDermott could step outside of the organization when the Bills eventually want to replace Frazier, but Holcomb could be a natural fit now that he’s with the company.

Another potential move is Holcomb’s relationship with Kutchli, who has spent the past two years visiting the Bills to work with linebackers. In an interview with The Athletic in January, former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who remains close to Kutchli, said the only way he sees the former All Pro linebacker in an NFL coaching role is to work specifically with Wilkes or Holcomb.

“I don’t see it right now. I don’t want to speak for him. Do I think that he would be useful to the team in some capacity, whether as a full-time coach or work in a training camp. I just think in terms of lifestyle and commitment, that’s a lot,” Olsen told Joseph Person. “I would never say never, just because he is such a football guy. If Wilksey and Al (Holcomb), if they’re at (Panther) headquarters, can I see him go there and participate in training camp? Yes, I wouldn’t be shocked at all.

The Bills selected Terrell Bernard in the third round of last year’s draft, and the rookie started just one game instead of Matt Milano. Things haven’t gone well for the rookie and the offseason is going to be huge for him, especially if Edmunds doesn’t come back. Holcomb’s experience will be a valuable asset to Bernard, who the Bills were delighted with when they signed him last April.

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