NFL world reacts to shocking Bills news

In a bit of a surprise, the Buffalo Bills announced that defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Leslie Fraizer has decided to take a year off from coaching in 2023. While the Bills announced that Frazier plans to return to coaching in 2024, it’s worth mentioning that the team didn’t necessarily specify that it would be in Buffalo.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has decided to take a year off from coaching in 2023.

He plans to return to coaching in 2024: https://t.co/xdP9ztLb23 pic.twitter.com/Rf6Sptsacf

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 28, 2023

The former Minnesota Vikings head coach is one of the more well-regarded defensive coordinators around the league, so his absence will be a huge blow to the Bills’ defense moving forward. It’s currently unknown why Frazier has elected to take the 2023 season off and whether that reason is revealed remains to be seen.

The NFL world reacted to the shocking news on Twitter.

“The Bills just announced that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is ‘taking a year off of coaching’ but ‘plans to return in 2024.’ The Bills now have to find a DC for this season. Did NOT see this coming,” wrote Dan Fetes, a sports anchor/reporter in the Buffalo area.

The Bills just announced that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is ‘taking a year off of coaching’ but ‘plans to return in 2024’

The Bills now have to find a DC for this season.

Did NOT see this coming.

— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) February 28, 2023

“The release from the Bills says that Leslie Frazier plans to return to coaching in 2024,” said Matthew Bové, the sports director for 7 News WKBW. “It doesn’t say he plans to return to coaching with the Bills OR if he’ll return in his current role. Just another layer to all this confusion.”

The release from the Bills says that Leslie Frazier plans to return to coaching in 2024. It doesn’t say he plans to return to coaching with the Bills OR if he’ll return in his current role. Just another layer to all this confusion.

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 28, 2023

“The Bills announced that Leslie Frazier, one of the men I respect most in the coaching business, will take a year off. I’m hoping/ praying everything is ok in his world,” said former Bills Pro Bowl center Eric Wood.

The Bills announced that Leslie Frazier, one of the men I respect most in the coaching business, will take a year off. I’m hoping/ praying everything is ok in his world. That being said…

What’s #BillsMafia reaction to this news??

— Eric Wood (@EWood70) February 28, 2023

“Leslie Frazier is and has been a good coach. But even good voices can get stale after six seasons. A fresh perspective could be helpful for the #Bills. End of the day, this is Sean McDermott’s defense. I wouldn’t expect any sort of drastic change with a new coordinator,” said WROC-TV co-host Thad Brown.

Leslie Frazier is and has been a good coach.
But even good voices can get stale after six seasons. A fresh perspective could be helpful for the #Bills.

End of the day, this is Sean McDermott's defense. I wouldn't expect any sort of drastic change with a new coordinator.

— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) February 28, 2023

“Before we get too excited over Leslie Frazier stepping away… this is still Sean McDermott’s defense,” said Aaron Quinn. “While I anticipate some changes, I don’t think they’ll be massive. McD still had a hand in overcoaching this team in big spots.”

Before we get too excited over Leslie Frazier stepping away… this is still Sean McDermott's defense.

While I anticipate some changes, I don't think they'll be massive.

McD still had a hand in overcoaching this team in big spots.

— Aaron Quinn (@AaronQuinn716) February 28, 2023

Both Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott will be speaking in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, so we’ll have to see what they have to say about Frazier and what that means for his future.

[Buffalo Bills]