5 bold predictions for the Buffalo Bills defense in 2025

The 2025 NFL season will be the debut of a new look Buffalo Bills defense.

The team is looking to build on an AFC Championship appearance and to make it to the Super Bowl.

GM Brandon Beane focused on the defensive side of the ball heavily this offseason, restocking the roster with younger, cost-controlled talent at key positions and fortifying the defensive trenches with talent and depth.

And they got bigger, literally.

Could this signal the beginning of a new level of defense in Buffalo?

With some big players that can make some big-time plays, here are five bold predictions for the Bills defense in 2025:

Ed Oliver Has Career Year

Oliver stands to benefit from the rotation and depth help he'll have behind him at the tackle position with Dewayne Carter backing him up, and players like rookies T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker, and vets Larry Ogunjobi, added at to the trenches around him on the defensive line. 

What that means is, after some dropoff in the 2024 NFL season, Oliver could get back to the disruptive, higher level of play the year before in 2023, and possibly even put up career numbers as he'll have what may be the best supporting group talent-wise around him that he's had yet in his career.

Defensive Turnover Leader

There have been times in years past under Sean McDermott when each week, it seemed more likely than not that the Bills defense was going to cause a turnover or two.

The current roster is one of the deepest defensive pools of talent the team has had in a while, and the rotation groups they reinforced, such as the pass rush, secondary, and offensive line, could result in the most turnovers the Bills have seen in a while as well.

Perhaps enough even to lead the NFL this season.

Groot Breakout

GM Brandon Beane added five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa across from Greg Rousseau this offseason.

Rousseau has been an annual pick for a breakout season in recent years, and with A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson, and Michael Hoecht backing them up alongside the aforementioned group around Oliver, this might be his year.

Top 5 Defense

Head coach Sean McDermott has been one of the most successful coaches in the NFL over several seasons.

What makes him unique is that he stands alone as the sole defensive coach of that group, which is primarily comprised of offensive coaches.

McDermott has fielded dominant defenses early in his Bills tenure, and the 2025 defense might have the talent and depth to return to that form at the top of the league. Perhaps even top five in the NFL.

Super Bowl LX

Will Josh Allen return home to California to compete for his first Super Bowl on the field of his childhood favorite team?

His previous attempts to make it to the big game to contend for a championship have not been for any lack of trying.

Allen has turned in some historic performances in the postseason, coming close to making it to the championship game only to watch the game go the other way. And too often it's been due to the other two phases of team play failing to get meaningful stops on defense and special teams.

Could that be changing?

Beane went in on improving the defense this offseason, even reportedly making a trade offer for Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett. And he might not be done adding pieces. He and McDermott also have a new special teams coordinator.

If those other two phases grow stronger and level up alongside their offense, it could make the difference in the Bills reaching the Super Bowl.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 bold predictions for the Buffalo Bills defense in 2025