The Buffalo Bills defense has been a strength of the team and one of the better units in the NFL since Sean McDermott’s arrival in 2017. After former defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier left the team in 2023, it was the head coach himself taking the reins and calling the plays last season. Now, a new man steps into the role, with Bobby Babich ascending to the lead that group.

McDermott promoted Babich, 40, to the position following years as a position coach with the Bills safeties and linebackers. It’s a promotion he has waiting for — one he seemed groomed for — even as he had interviews with other teams after the season.

Buffalo is where he wanted to be, and that’s exactly how it ended up.

Babich has been a McDermott understudy dating back to their time together with the Carolina Panthers. One might not expect to see much in the way of drastic changes with Babich as the defensive coordinator, but there have been several changes to the coaching staff, with the likes of John Butler and Eric Washington leaving the team.

While Babich has been working his way through the ranks, he is a first time coordinator, a difficult task especially for a team that still believes it can compete for a Super Bowl right now. Babich told reporters during OTAs that he’s done all he can to be ready for the opportunity.

“You’re constantly trying to prepare yourself for when you get into this position,” Babich said. “But until you actually do something, you are never ready. I don’t have the ego to sit up here and say I’m ready this, that and the other. I’m vulnerable enough to say that I’m as prepared as I can possibly be. I’m going to continue to learn every day. I’ve got a great mentor upstairs who I’ve been with for a multitude of years who I can lean on.”

Babich is referring to McDermott, his longtime mentor. He can also lean on his father, former Bills assistant coach Bob Babich, for help as the process goes along.

Perhaps the biggest question mark beyond Babich’s inexperience in the role is whether he — or McDermott — will call the defensive plays on game days. McDermott has reiterated several times throughout the spring that such a decision won’t be made (or announced) until at least sometime during training camp or the preseason. Being a first-time play caller can have its hurdles along the way, but Babich feels he’s in a good position to do so if that’s the ultimate decision.

He’ll also be charged with getting the most out of revamped group, especially in the secondary. Gone are the likes of Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, replaced with Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards and Rasul Douglas.

What can Babich get out of his defensive line, especially veteran edge rusher Von Miller as he seeks to return to some semblance of the player he was prior to tearing his ACL in November 2022? What type of play can they expect from defensive ends Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa now that they’ll be counted on for greater production and leadership?

These are all major question marks awaiting Babich in his first run as a coordinator in the National Football League.