Greg Rousseau emerging as Bills defender benefiting most from Jim Leonhard's scheme

For as great as the Buffalo Bills’ offense has been, we also have to admit that the defense under Jim Leonhard is still going through growing pains in their new scheme. While Buffalo’s offense has put up 77 points, the defense has allowed 62 points which is the same amount of points given up as the Miami Dolphins.

Luckily, the Bills have a superstar quarterback to bail them out unlike the Dolphins. At the same time, the Bills cannot be relying on Allen to put the team on his back because it's just simply not sustainable. Jim Leonhard acknowledged the fact that Buffalo's defense has a lot to clean after two games, but they have been doing enough in crucial moments to help get the win.

While the Bills' defensive unit has to improve as a whole, they do have one star that has shined greatly under the new 3-4 scheme. Outside linebacker Greg Rousseau has been absolutely thriving as he has recorded 4 sacks, 7 total tackles, and 3 forced fumbles through two games.

He came up with the game-winning strip sack against the Texans, and then played a role in Buffalo's defense limiting the Lions in the first half of their Week 2 game.

Bills have a rising star on defense that is finally getting noticed

Through the first two games of the season, Rousseau has put up the highest pass rush win rate (with a minimum of 40 pass rush snaps), per Pro Football Focus. The four behind Rousseau include Chase Young (Saints), Aidan Hutchinson (Lions), Maxx Crosby (Raiders), and Nick Bosa (49ers).

Rousseau has been very dominant for the Bills, and he is performing like the best defender in Leonhard's scheme. Now, you could also make the case that DT Deone Walker has been the best for the Bills' defense. However, Rousseau has provided the consistent pass rush that the Bills have been looking for.

Greg Rousseau is solidifying himself as major star in NFL

It's still early, but Rousseau already has have of his career-high in sacks. The most sacks he has had in a season 8 (2022, 2024), and he already has 4 through the first couple of games. He is winning going off the edge whether it's a bullrush or getting past blockers off to the side.

This is a different type of player we are seeing compared to the last few seasons. In Sean McDermott's defense, Rousseau was lined up in a three-point stance and while he was solid against the run, his ability to rush the passer wasn't always that great.

Now with Leonhard changing the scheme to a 3-4, Rousseau is already shining more than he ever has in a 4-3. Going into this season, a lot of people were excited about what Bradley Chubb was going to bring as the Bills' biggest free agency signing. Instead, it's been Rousseau's world so far and Bills fans should be loving it.

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