Oliver also has a high-profile example to turn to to prove what Leonhard can do for him. Arizona’s underrated defensive tackle Zach Allen, who rose to prominence under Leonhard as Denver’s passing game coordinator, earned two All-Pro nods (second team in 2024, first team in 2025) over the last two seasons and recorded 15.5 sacks in that span.
The production becomes even more interesting when diving into the advanced scale. When looking at QB pressures, Allen’s best three seasons (67 in 2024, 64 in 2023, 59 in 2025) are on par with or better than Oliver’s peak campaign (60 in 2023). During those seasons, Allen faced an average double team rate of 35.8%, and in his last two campaigns that average dropped to 35.3%, both marks better than Oliver has seen his entire career in Buffalo.
The numerical difference might seem small, but it is enough to inspire faith in Leonhard’s vision. Oliver already seems convinced.
“I know it sounds cliche, but if you turn on the tape, the guy they had in Denver was pretty good, and he looks like he was playing pretty free,” Oliver said. “So hopefully I can have the same success in the same system. It’s definitely exciting. I don’t know. I just can’t wait.”
Tension is not always the first response to a change in leadership. After seven years under fired coach Sean McDermott, Oliver must now learn a new system. But he senses the opportunity and fully accepts what Leonhard could offer.
“I guess it’s like a breakup,” Oliver said. “Everything you did in the last relationship, throw it all away. It’s a complete ‘un-person. You have to learn all over again. It’s fun. It’s different.
“Change is always difficult, but sometimes change is good. I just look at it with such optimism and let it work.”