One kick ends it all as Bills playoff heartbreak sparks shock retirement
A playoff moment that changed everything
The Buffalo Bills’ season came down to one swing of a kicker’s leg, and the consequences now appear far-reaching. According to The Athletic, offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is expected to retire following Buffalo’s divisional round defeat.
The Bills lost 23 to 20 in overtime to the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium when Wil Lutz drilled a 23 yard field goal to seal the result. What followed was not only a season ending loss, but potentially the final game of Kromer’s long NFL journey.
A career that quietly spanned decades
The Athletic’s Michael Silver reported that the loss likely marked the end of Kromer’s 25th season coaching in the NFL. At 58, Kromer has spent much of his professional life working behind the scenes, shaping offensive lines and mentoring players across multiple franchises.
While Buffalo has not formally announced his retirement, league sources cited by The Athletic expect Kromer to step away once the season officially concludes.
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From college sidelines to NFL trust figure
Kromer’s path to the NFL began at Miami University in Ohio, where he worked as a graduate assistant before earning his first professional opportunity in 2001 with the then Oakland Raiders.
Over the years, he built a reputation as a dependable offensive line specialist with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams, becoming a familiar and respected figure in coaching circles.
Super Bowl glory and leadership in new orleans
One of the defining chapters of Kromer’s career came in 2009, when he served as offensive line coach for the Saints’ Super Bowl winning team. The championship elevated his profile around the league and reinforced his standing as a coach players trusted.
That trust was tested again in 2012, when Kromer stepped in as interim head coach during Sean Payton’s suspension, taking on unexpected responsibility during a turbulent season.
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The architect behind buffalo’s protection
Kromer’s impact in Buffalo was most evident during his second stint with the team, which began in 2022. Tasked with stabilizing a unit that had struggled in previous seasons, he helped transform the Bills’ offensive front.
Running back James Cook rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2023, the franchise’s first such season in six years. Quarterback Josh Allen also benefited, absorbing far less punishment, with only 38 sacks across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Why players still talk about him
Inside the locker room, Kromer’s influence went beyond scheme and technique. Bills guard O’Cyrus Torrence described a coach who reshaped how players approached the game.
“He made football fun. I could definitely say that he taught me the game. He made me understand it,” Torrence said, according to comments cited amid reports of the retirement. “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.”
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A legacy sealed by one final snap
If confirmed, Kromer’s retirement will close one of the NFL’s most understated but enduring coaching careers. His final chapter may have been written by a single kick in Denver, but his influence remains woven into the players and teams he helped shape over 25 seasons.
Sources: The Athletic, Daily Mail
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