Bills Promote OC Joe Brady as Head Coach After Firing Sean McDermott
In a stunning shake‑up for the Buffalo Bills, the team has reportedly promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to be its next head coach following the unexpected firing of Sean McDermott. The news marks a dramatic turn in the franchise’s leadership during a pivotal offseason.
End of the McDermott Era
Sean McDermott, who served as the Bills’ head coach for nine seasons, was relieved of his duties earlier this month after the team’s 33‑30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round ended another promising season short of a Super Bowl appearance. Under McDermott’s leadership, Buffalo became a consistent playoff contender, making the postseason eight times and winning at least 10 regular‑season games in multiple seasons. Despite that success, the team never reached the NFL’s biggest stage.
Bills owner Terry Pegula praised McDermott’s contributions to the organization while explaining the decision, saying the team needed a “new structure within leadership” to take the franchise to the next level.
Joe Brady: From Coordinator to Head Coach
The Bills’ decision to stay in‑house and promote Joe Brady underscores a commitment to continuity, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Brady, 36, has been with Buffalo since 2022, initially as quarterbacks coach before assuming offensive coordinator duties. Under his guidance, the Bills’ offense was among the NFL’s most productive units, ranking near the top in yards and scoring during the 2025 season.
Before his time in Buffalo, Brady gained prominence as an offensive innovator, helping LSU win the 2019 National Championship and earning the Broyles Award as college football’s top assistant coach. His rise through the coaching ranks has also drawn attention from other NFL teams; Brady interviewed for multiple head coaching vacancies around the league before Buffalo opted to keep him as its leader.
Broader Coaching Search Context
While Brady’s promotion is the most significant development, the Bills’ head coaching search involved several notable names. Buffalo reportedly interviewed a variety of internal and external candidates — including former Giants coach Brian Daboll and defensive masters like Anthony Lynn and others as the team weighed its options for the future.
Additionally, some early coaching candidates interviewed for the position later withdrew or pursued other opportunities, including Philip Rivers, who recently removed his name from consideration to remain coaching at the high school level.
Fan and Media Reaction
Reaction to the McDermott firing and Brady promotion has been mixed. Many Bills fans expressed disappointment at losing McDermott, who transformed Buffalo into a perennial playoff team and helped develop star quarterback Josh Allen. Others believe the fresh leadership could help the Bills finally break through and reach their long‑awaited Super Bowl goal.
Why This Matters
Joe Brady’s new role represents a major step in his coaching career and sets the stage for a new chapter in Bills history. With Allen still in his prime and a talented roster in place, Brady inherits a team with legitimate championship aspirations, yet his success hinges on quickly earning trust, maintaining continuity, and delivering postseason results.
Source: Yahoo Sports
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