BREAKING: Bills Make Announcement on Major Coaching Staff Change

After moving on from a key coordinator following their disappointing playoff exit, the Buffalo Bills have found a replacement. The team parted ways with longtime special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley weeks after their AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, despite head coach Sean McDermott initially expressing confidence in him. Special teams struggles plagued the Bills throughout the season, including a fake punt conversion by the New England Patriots, another successful fake punt by the Denver Broncos in the playoffs, a blocked punt in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and a long punt return allowed against the Chiefs.

Despite these issues, Smiley’s firing was unexpected, as McDermott had previously indicated he would remain on staff in 2025.

On February 24, the Bills announced several coaching changes, including the hiring of Chris Tabor as the new special teams coordinator. Tabor previously held the same role with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, also serving as their interim head coach, and was the Chicago Bears’ special teams coordinator from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he spent seven seasons in the same position with the Cleveland Browns. The Bills also added Ryan Nielsen as senior defensive assistant, Jason Rebrovich as assistant defensive line coach, and Mike Pellegrino as nickel cornerbacks coach.