Cornerback Maxwell Hairston has become the face of the struggles confronting the Buffalo Bills’ defense following a disappointing 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots. But while Hairston has drawn criticism for both his on-field play and his refusal to speak to media about his performance in Week 4—when he allowed a pair of touchdowns in one-on-one coverage against receiver Romeo Doubs—the fault does not squarely lie on Hairston’s shoulders.
Rather, first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s
unit has encountered difficulties communicating on the field, getting on the same page in coverage, and coming up with big stops when the game is on the line. As was the case throughout Buffalo’s loss to New England. And Buffalo’s top three cornerbacks—Christian Benford, Dee Alford, and Hairston—each entered Week 4 ranked among the worst cornerbacks in the NFL in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
After four weeks, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by assessing the state of Buffalo’s defense backs following a 3-1 start and hearing what Hairston says he can do to get better in coverage.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Maxwell Hairston comes up short when Bills needed him most
It’s easy for Maxwell Hairston to be the poster child for Buffalo’s defensive woes. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, against the Patriots, Hairston, slotting into the CB1 role, allowed four receptions on eight targets for 44 yards, including a pair of fourth-down conversions in scenarios where Hairston played off coverage and allowed easy completions that extended drives, and two TD passes from Drake Maye to Romeo Doubs. To make matters worse, Hairston also committed a defensive holding penalty.
The Bills needed Hairston to step up with Benford out and injuries depleting the defensive backs. Instead, Hairston came up short. A day after walking out of the locker room, Hairston took responsibility for his play and his postgame antics, vowing to do better when the Bills take on Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
“Just my eyes at the top of the route, completing the rep,” Hairston said when asked what he can improve with his game. “Really just the biggest thing is fixing my eyes. (I should) Not (be) looking at the quarterback; the ball isn’t coming to me. I’m not the receiver. And I have to do better at finishing the route.”
But Hairston isn’t alone in his struggles. The Bills currently rank 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and are next-to-last in most first downs allowed per game. Hairston, Christian Benford, and nickel cornerback Dee Alford all rank among the bottom 10 cornerbacks in the league (minimum 100 coverage snaps) per Pro Football Focus coverage grade.
We reflect on Hairston’s struggles; dissect what has gone wrong with Buffalo’s defense through the first four games; and learn what Joe Brady and Jim Leonhard are doing in the search for answers to fix what ails the Bills on defense.
- Bills notebook: Leonhard feels frustration of defense in ‘a results business’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Joe Brady backs ‘chosen one’ Maxwell Hairston as Bills defense searches for answers – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Max Hairston returns to the podium, owns his walkout as Bills coaches back young cornerback – newyorkupstate.com
- A day later, Maxwell Hairston owns up to his struggles, admits results must improve – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills CB Hairston sorry for skipping media, addresses struggles – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Bills’ Maxwell Hairston owns mistakes after loss to Patriots – Democrat & Chronicle
- Hairston apologizes for abruptly leaving locker room after Sunday’s loss – WGR 550
- Maxwell Hairston apologizes, Joe Brady wants Dalton Kincaid more involved and Jim Leonhard on Cole Bishop’s alignment – BuffaloBills.com
- Three CB Additions Bills Must Pursue After Secondary Melts Down vs. Patriots – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- The ‘Chosen One’ chose silence: Max Hairston left a Bills rookie to answer for a bad day – newyorkupstate.com
Even more Bills news
Examining where the Bills find themselves in the weekly NFL power rankings; Plus, get to know the newest member of Buffalo’s practice squad; and hear Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas discuss the loss to New England and how the Bills can rebound vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
- Buffalo Bills take major tumble in NFL power rankings after ugly loss to Patriots – newyorkupstate.com
- Updated NFL Power Rankings: Where do the final three undefeated teams stand after four weeks? – ESPN.com
- PFT’s Week 5 2026 NFL power rankings – NBC Sports
- Bills NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Ugly Stretch Sends Buffalo Sliding – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: NFL.com
- NFL MVP power rankings Week 5 – USA Today
- Bills sign Damar Hamlin’s college teammate after injuries leave 3 healthy cornerbacks – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills sign CB A.J. Woods to the practice squad – BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills Sign Cornerback After Offensive Lineman Gets Poached – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Thurman Thomas: Bills-Patriots Reaction, Looking Ahead To Bills-Rams – BuffaloBills.com
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