There is a strong chance that when the 2026 NFL season comes to an end, no matter how the season ends for the Buffalo Bills, we will look back and label the hiring of Jim Leonhard was the best move that the Bills made in the 2026 offseason. Sure, Josh Allen could become a contender for the MVP award again. Maybe James Cook leads the league in rushing yards again.
However, one of the main focuses for the Bills this coming season is how their defense will perform under a new defensive coordinator in a new scheme. Up to this point, Leonhard has been complemented a lot by players throughout the summer, and now Leonhard has received another one, but it's from someone on the offense.
Jim Leonhard continues to make impact across Bills roster
After the Bills' training camp practice wrapped up on Tuesday, wide receiver Khalil Shakir talked with the media and according to Paul Hamilton from WGR Sports Radio 550, Shakir said "[Jim] Leonhard is giving them a lot of different looks to go against and he's liked it".
Shakir said Leonard is giving them a lot of different looks to go against and he's liked it pic.twitter.com/ZFHuVpRIbO
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) August 4, 2026
Now, this may seem very simple and nothing much to look into. However, for an offensive player to sit up at the microphone and give praise about what the defense is doing in order to make the offense better should be great news for Bills fans.
Bills getting experience on what defense could bring in 2026
First, the offense for the Bills is clearly the stronger side of the ball, but there were plenty of times last year where they got thrown looks where they didn't bounce back immediately and it hurt them in many games. The one game from last year that sticks out the most in terms of this was in Week 6 on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta's defense completely embarrassed Josh Allen and the Bills because of multiple different looks. It just seemed like the Bills offense wasn't prepared whatsoever.
With the offense getting the different looks coming their way early on from Leonhard, it gives them a sense on what other teams could throw at them this season. There have been times where Buffalo's offense has become too predictable, and it's slowed them down. Now, they will need to get creative with their play calling to throw defenses off their game.
As for the Bills' defense, they get to try out their different calls to see how it performs against an offense that typically lights up the scoreboard. Leonhard is tasked to figure out which calls work, and what he needs to adjust in order to avoid a collapse.
What Leonhard is doing, based on what Shakir is saying, he is helping the offense get used to different situations especially against a defensive unit that they haven't gone up against a lot in recent memory. It's still early, and there is plenty of time before preseason, but it's great to see Leonhard continuing to make the impact that he is.
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