Bills Poised to Reclaim AFC East in 2026 Under New Coach Joe Brady

NFL.com analyst sees Buffalo as a top contender with coaching changes and Patriots' tough schedule.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 3:55pm

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The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era in 2026 with Joe Brady taking over as head coach and Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator. Despite the coaching changes, NFL.com's Eric Edholm believes the Bills are poised to reclaim the AFC East title, especially with the New England Patriots facing a daunting schedule that includes eight playoff teams from 2025.

Why it matters

The Bills have been a dominant force in the AFC East in recent years, but the departure of longtime head coach Sean McDermott creates uncertainty. However, the promotion of offensive coordinator Joe Brady and the addition of respected defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard are seen as positive moves that could keep the Bills among the top contenders in the conference.

The details

Edholm notes that while the Bills are currently ranked behind the Patriots in his latest power rankings, Buffalo has to view the 2026 season as their chance to reclaim the division title. The Patriots' schedule includes eight playoff teams from 2025, as well as matchups against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, which could open the door for the Bills to regain their footing atop the AFC East.

  • The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, promoted from offensive coordinator.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, joining the team from another organization.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who has departed the team.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who will be facing a challenging schedule in 2026.

Eric Edholm

An NFL.com analyst who has provided insights and analysis on the Bills' outlook for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“The Bills suddenly face a lot of change with the elevation of Joe Brady to head coach and the addition of Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator. Yes, they're technically behind the Patriots right now, but the Bills have to view the 2026 season as their chance to reclaim the AFC East, even with the coaching changes.”

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

What’s next

The Bills will need to navigate the offseason and free agency period to ensure they have the necessary talent to compete for the AFC East title in 2026, especially with the coaching changes and the Patriots' challenging schedule.

The takeaway

The Bills' transition to a new coaching staff under Joe Brady and Jim Leonhard presents both opportunities and challenges, but the team appears well-positioned to reclaim their dominance in the AFC East in 2026 if they can maintain their level of play from recent seasons.