The Buffalo Bills sent out members of the team’s front office and roster to the podium on Monday as the team’s returning players are visiting the team’s newly-renovated Orchard Park facility this week for voluntary offseason workouts.

General Manager Brandon Beane and Head Coach Sean McDermott represented the front office. Quarterback Josh Allen, naturally, represented the offense.

On defense? Your face of the unit was middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

While it’s not a surprise that the middle linebacker is representing the unit since the position is referred to as the “quarterback of the defense,” it is something new for the second-year pro.

During Edmunds’ rookie year, the team had defensive tackle Kyle Williams in that role. The heart and soul of the unit. Then there’s linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who’s still on the team. But no, it was Edmunds stepping up to the plate… or podium.

“You know, it means a lot to me for these guys to trust me,” Edmunds said. “I’m going to take the leadership [Williams and Alexander] showed last year, so take those things, you know, try to do it my own way.”

Over the course of last season, it was documented how Williams began passing on the torch to Edmunds, who’s not even 21 years old yet. In player-only meetings toward the end of the year, Edmunds would start to lead the festivities, as Williams gave him that opportunity to.

While it might have only been a simple interview opportunity on Monday for Edmunds, it is a step forward in solidifying his role as the team’s defensive leader.

“I’m young, I’m ready for the challenge. I’m ready for the next step,” Edmunds said.

McDermott, who’s known for making calculated decisions, even if it’s a small, subtle one such as an interview, said Edmunds and Allen both in those roles as the faces of their respective sides of the team is an important step in his so-called “process.”

“No, that says a lot, it really does in terms of where we were last year, where we are now,” McDermott said. “Still a lot of work to do, but to have these two young men come out, from the way they carry themselves and represent the Buffalo Bills, I think it means a lot to not only myself, but to our football team, to our organization and hopefully to our community.”

As a rookie, Edmunds made 121 total tackles, while notching 12 passes defended, two interceptions and two sacks. Prior to joining the Bills, Edmunds had never held the role as play caller on a defense. Having that experience coming into 2019 alone should allow the 6-foot-5 linebacker to push himself to a higher level of play next season.