The Buffalo Bills’ offseason got started on Sunday with news that offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is set to retire from the NFL following the team’s overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Kromer spent 24 seasons in the league, six with the Bills from 2015-16 and 2022-25.
In Kromer’s second stint with the team, the Bills carried one of the league’s top offensive line units year in and year out, keeping Josh Allen upright for his MVP campaign in 2024, and opening holes for James Cook en route to his first league rushing title.
Kromer has built an impressive resume over the years while working under the likes of Jon Gruden, Rex Ryan, Sean Payton and Sean McVay. The respect his career has earned was magnified by former NFL offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz, who didn’t play under Kromer in his career.
Ex-NFL OL Mitchell Schwartz highlights just how crucial Aaron Kromer has been for Buffalo Bills
After news broke about the coach’s retirement, Schwartz retweeted Michael Silver’s report, noting the value Kromer brought ot the franchise.
“That’s huge news,’” he wrote. “Last year especially as the talk was that the Bills didn’t have “weapons” my counter was that their OL was a weapon that other teams don’t have. I think they regressed a bit in pass protection this year but obviously ran it great. Big shoes to fill for the org.”
That’s huge news. Last year especially as the talk was that the Bills didn’t have “weapons” my counter was that their OL was a weapon that other teams don’t have. I think they regressed a bit in pass protection this year but obviously ran it great. Big shoes to fill for the org. https://t.co/iWvdx9RLlz
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) January 18, 2026
To Schwartz’s point, Allen was sacked 41 times this season, a new career-high. Still, Buffalo leaned on its ground game, especially late in the season, powered by the offensive line, to great success.
Four of the five starters are under contract for next season; only center Connor McGovern is set to become a free agent. Certainly, he’s a high priority to re-sign this offseason. Still, great players excel with great coaching, so Sean McDermott can't afford to miss on Kromer’s replacement.
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Luckily, there’s a strong option already available that would seem like a perfect fit. Kromer’s son, Zak, is the Los Angeles Rams’ assistant o-line coach. He’s been in the NFL for 11 seasons, the last 10 with the Los Angeles Rams’ well-established offensive line. His first season was spent with the Bills in 2016 alongside his father.
If both parties are interested, it’s a sensible first true position coach spot for the 58-year-old. Of course, it’s just one option to consider. After all, the coaching carousel started spinning long before Buffalo got on the ride unintentionally.