Can Joe Brady lead Bills to Super Bowl in 2026?

New head coach faces high expectations in first season with Josh Allen in his prime

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Buffalo Bills have promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, replacing Sean McDermott after multiple playoff failures. The franchise is looking to Brady to take them to the next level and win a Super Bowl during star quarterback Josh Allen's peak years. However, Brady will face immense pressure in his first season as a head coach, with the Bills expecting immediate results as they move into a new stadium.

Why it matters

The Bills have been a consistent playoff team under McDermott, but have yet to win a Super Bowl. With Allen emerging as one of the league's top quarterbacks, the franchise is eager to capitalize on his prime years and deliver a championship. Brady's success or failure in his debut season could shape the trajectory of the Bills for years to come.

The details

The Bills are promoting the 33-year-old Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach, replacing the 48-year-old McDermott after he led the team to the playoffs four times in six seasons but failed to win a Super Bowl. Brady will be tasked with improving on McDermott's regular season success and finally getting the Bills over the hump in the playoffs. He'll have the benefit of coaching an elite quarterback in Allen, but the pressure to deliver immediate results will be intense as the team moves into a new stadium.

  • The Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott in January 2026.
  • Joe Brady was promoted to head coach in January 2026.

The players

Joe Brady

The 33-year-old former offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who has been promoted to head coach.

Sean McDermott

The 48-year-old former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was fired after multiple playoff failures.

Josh Allen

The star quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, who is entering the prime of his career.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Bills' firing of Sean McDermott and promotion of Brady from the offensive coordinator position following yet another playoff stumble by the franchise raises the pressure on Brady to lead the Bills to a Super Bowl during Josh Allen's peak years.”

— Eric Edholm, NFL.com writer (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Bills will be closely watched in the 2026 season to see if Brady can deliver the Super Bowl championship that has eluded the franchise for decades.

The takeaway

Joe Brady faces immense pressure in his first season as Bills head coach, with the franchise expecting him to lead the team to a Super Bowl victory during star quarterback Josh Allen's prime. Brady's success or failure could shape the Bills' future for years to come.