The Bills signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year, $30 million deal last offseason, and defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler to two-year deals worth $13.5 million and $15 million, respectively. They also drafted defensive end AJ Epenesa in the second round and hired defensive line coaches Jacques Cesaire and Eric Washington. Toward the latter part of the season, the defensive line's level of play rose with Buffalo's entire defense. However, with several additions and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei opting out, there was no avoiding its lull at the beginning of the season. "I don't think as a group they were in sync early; no preseason [because of the coronavirus pandemic] probably didn't help that group with all the changes including both coaches there," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. "Eric did a great job, and Leslie Frazier, too, of figuring out what these guys do well. We were a little smaller up front this year, just the way it worked out. And so figuring out who can anchor in there, who can provide pass rush, you know we don't want to get run on all day, we also got to get some guys in there to affect the quarterback.