Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is reportedly set to retire from the NFL, bringing an end to a 25-year coaching career that concluded with a heartbreaking playoff defeat for the team.
A Career Culminates in Heartbreak
The decision follows the Bills' devastating overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional round this past Saturday. The game was settled by a 23-yard field goal from Wil Lutz, sealing a gut-wrenching exit for Buffalo at Mile High. This marked Kromer's fourth and final season with the Bills.
According to a report from Michael Silver at The Athletic, the 58-year-old coach is now expected to call time on his lengthy tenure in professional football. Kromer began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Miami University in Ohio before moving to the NFL with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2001.
A Formidable Legacy in Buffalo and Beyond
Kromer's NFL resume includes significant roles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams. His career highlight came in 2009 when he earned a Super Bowl ring as the Saints' offensive line coach. He also served as interim head coach in New Orleans for six games in 2012 during Sean Payton's suspension.
His latest stint in Buffalo was his second, having previously coached the offensive line from 2015-16. During this most recent period, Kromer was instrumental in building a formidable offensive line that provided crucial protection for star quarterback Josh Allen. The unit's improvement was stark; after being a problem area in Allen's early years, the line allowed just 38 sacks combined across the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
His work also paved the way for running back James Cook, who in 2023 became the first Bills player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season for six years.
Player Tributes to a Mentor
Players have been quick to praise Kromer's influence. Third-year right guard O'Cyrus Torrence shared his appreciation amid the retirement news. "He made football fun. I could definitely say that he taught me the game. He made me understand it," Torrence said.
He added, "Coach Krom helped me improve the mental part of the game, just being able to go out there and lock into my job and understanding of what I'm doing and not letting what's happening around me affect my play."
Kromer's retirement closes a significant chapter for the Bills, as they now must find a successor to maintain the high standard he set for protecting reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and powering the team's ground game.
