BREAKING: Bills announce Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator, add three others to coaching staff
The Buffalo Bills have announced four additions to their coaching staff, including Chris Tabor as the new special teams coordinator.
Tabor brings over 15 years of NFL experience to Buffalo. He was out of the league last season but served as the Carolina Panthers’ interim head coach and special teams coordinator in 2023. Before that, he held the same special teams role with the Panthers in 2022, the Chicago Bears from 2018-21, and the Cleveland Browns from 2011-17.
Additionally, the Bills have bolstered their defensive staff with three new hires:
- Ryan Nielsen – Senior Defensive Assistant
Nielsen was most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2024. He previously served as the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2023. Before that, he worked with the New Orleans Saints from 2017-22, holding roles as defensive line coach, assistant head coach, and co-defensive coordinator. During his tenure as defensive line coach, the Saints consistently ranked in the top 10 in sacks. - Jason Rebrovich – Assistant Defensive Line Coach
Rebrovich joins the Bills after coaching the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line in 2024, where the team finished eighth in total sacks (45). He previously worked as Green Bay’s pass rush specialist in 2023 and outside linebackers coach in 2022. This marks a return to Buffalo for Rebrovich, who coached in various defensive roles for the Bills from 2013-16. A native of Western New York, he grew up in Clarence, NY. - Mike Pellegrino – Nickels Coach
Pellegrino arrives from the New England Patriots, where he served as cornerbacks coach from 2019-24 and as a coaching assistant from 2015-18. Before transitioning to football, he played professional lacrosse, having been selected by the New York Lizards in the second round of the 2015 Major League Lacrosse Draft. A former two-time All-American and captain at Johns Hopkins, Pellegrino recently coached 2024 NFL Second-Team All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez.