Pellegrino spent the last 10 seasons coaching defense with the New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills continue making adjustments to their defensive coaching staff, this after yet another disappointing result during the playoffs. In a report shared by Matt Zenitz, Buffalo appears set to hire former New England Patriots cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, per sources.
As noted by Zenitz, Pellegrino spent the previous 10 years in Foxborough, MA, and was the team’s cornerbacks coach the last six seasons.
The #Bills are expected to hire former #Patriots cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Pellegrino worked for the Patriots the last 10 seasons, including the last six as cornerbacks coach.https://t.co/qOetA1iLiU pic.twitter.com/enWYR2Lmk9
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 10, 2025
It remains to be seen what Pellegrino’s role will be with the Bills, as the team’s current cornerbacks coach is Jahmile Addae, who was hired into the role last offseason. The 31-year-old Pellegrino has cut all his NFL coaching chops with the Patriots, dating back to 2015.
With Pellegrino as defensive backs coach from 2019 through 2024, New England’s defense ranked second, sixth, second, 18th, 10th, and sixth in total passing yards allowed, respectively. It was under Pellegrino that cornerback Stephon Gilmore earned AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. To follow that up, Pellegrino’s cornerbacks resume also notes All-Pro selections for J.C. Jackson (2021), and Christian Gonzalez (2024).
Pellegrino reported parted ways with the team after newly hired head coach Mike Vrabel made his return to New England. The obvious move here is to see Pellegrino reprise his cornerbacks role of the last six seasons.
Until there’s an official announcement from the team, we can only wonder if perhaps there’s more to his decision to join the Bills and what his role might be with the team.