Buffalo Bills Name Joe Brady as New Head Coach

The 36-year-old offensive coordinator signs a five-year deal to lead the team.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:23pm

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The Buffalo Bills have named offensive coordinator Joe Brady as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year contract. Brady takes over after the team dismissed Sean McDermott, who spent nine seasons leading the Bills to the playoffs eight times and two AFC Championship Games. Before joining the Bills in 2022, Brady helped design LSU's record-setting offense during its 2019 national championship season and later served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.

Why it matters

The Bills have been one of the AFC's top teams in recent years, but have yet to reach the Super Bowl. Brady's innovative offensive mind and strong relationship with quarterback Josh Allen are seen as key factors in the team's decision to promote him to head coach, as they look to take the next step and compete for a championship.

The details

Under Brady's guidance as offensive coordinator, the Bills' offense flourished, leading the NFL in efficiency and setting franchise records for total points and touchdowns in 2024. Running back James Cook also captured the rushing title in 2025. Brady's ability to get the most out of Allen, who won MVP in 2024, was central to his rise in Buffalo.

  • The Bills announced Brady's hiring as head coach on January 28, 2026.
  • Brady takes over after the team dismissed Sean McDermott, who spent nine seasons as head coach.

The players

Joe Brady

The 36-year-old offensive coordinator who has been promoted to head coach of the Buffalo Bills, signing a five-year contract.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was dismissed after the team's overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round.

Josh Allen

The Bills' star quarterback, who had the best stretch of his career under Brady's guidance as offensive coordinator, winning MVP in 2024.

James Cook

The Bills' running back who captured the NFL rushing title in 2025 under Brady's offensive leadership.

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What they’re saying

“He's one of the most positive guys in the building. He's always got juice and energy for the guys. I think that's something that we love and appreciate about him, and he's as real as they come.”

— Josh Allen, Quarterback (mybasin.com)

What’s next

The Bills will look to build on their recent success under Brady's leadership, with the goal of finally reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1990s.

The takeaway

The Bills' decision to promote the innovative and player-friendly Joe Brady to head coach signals their belief that he can take the team's high-powered offense to new heights and lead them to the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance in decades.