Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is entering his second season in the role after being promoted from his role as linebackers coach in 2024.
Of course there was a learning curve for both Babich and his players last season. He mentioned last year, "You think you’re ready, but you’re never ready until you go through it." But there were many things he did learn from his first year of experience.
"First off, it was trusting my gut, trusting the preparation that went into it," Babich said while addressing the media on Tuesday. "Our assistants prepare as well as anybody, and us putting together a good plan and then being able to adjust is something that you have to be able to do. I thought overall, we did a pretty good job of that. And the last thing is for anybody going through it the first time, everything’s the first time. So now you’ve been in those situations and now you’re a little more scarred, you’re a little bit more weathered based on the situations and how fast those things come up."
There were times last season where the defense was very good, and there were other times like the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs where they weren’t good at all.
"There’s a lot of things we did really well, but the biggest thing is the consistency and the overall consistency in our approach, our execution, and making sure that no matter who we’re playing, certain things stay the same. I need to make sure I do that first as the leader of the defense," Babich said.
"It’s identifying from last year the areas where we need to improve, and making sure we own those, we know those, and we work on those. And then you talk about adding pieces that can flat out rush."
Corner Tre White has returned for his second stint with the Bills and Babich is happy to have him,
"It’s great to be around Tre’Davious again. His energy is infectious, and his work ethic is second-to-none," he said.
"Right now, Tre’Davious is working himself back into the Bills' system, plus he’s adapting to what we’ve changed. But we’re excited that Tre'Davious and his family are back here in Buffalo."
Both Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht have been suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. This makes things a bit tricky for Babich.
"For them, it’s finding that sweet spot where once they have to leave us, you’re making sure they have a good foundation. And as the defensive coordinator, you just adjust and we’ll have a plan once that time comes," Babich said.
The Bills went into last season with huge questions at safety. However, Babich feels differently about the position.
"When you look at it, overall, Taylor Rapp had a very good year. He tackled really well, and I thought Damar [Hamlin] had a really good year, had his best year. And it was good to see him grow," Babich said.
"And Cole [Bishop] could learn in his first year, because it’s hard to play in this league as a rookie at certain positions. But the jump we’ve seen from Cole as a rookie to this year has been really good so far.
"It’s the comfortability of what we’re doing. It’s the more reps he gets, you see him taking more control. He didn’t play in training camp, and that was valuable reps missed out. For him to still be able to go in and compete at a level that needs improvement, but for a guy that didn’t have training camp, to go in there and do some of the things he did was good."
One player that has already stood out to Babich this offseason is Bills' 2025 fourth-round defensive tackle Deone Walker.
"When you turn on the tape, he does things at his size that you’re not expecting someone at that size (6-foot-7 and 331 pounds) to be able to do," Babich said. "Like all rookies, we’ve got to find the consistency, and I’m excited to see his growth."
Part 2 from the Bills coordinators comes Wednesday with Joe Brady and the offense.