Bills Hire Young Offensive Coordinator as Head Coach, Raising Questions

NFL insider Mike Garafolo expresses doubts about the Buffalo Bills' bold move to make 36-year-old Joe Brady their new head coach.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills have hired 36-year-old Joe Brady as their new head coach, despite his lack of head coaching experience. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo has questioned whether Brady is ready for the pressure of leading a team with Super Bowl aspirations, especially with the high-powered offense he will be inheriting from the previous regime.

Why it matters

The Bills are in "win-now" mode with star quarterback Josh Allen in his prime, and the team is expected to compete for a championship. Hiring an unproven commodity like Brady as head coach is a bold move that raises questions about whether he can seamlessly take over the team and get the most out of the talented roster.

The details

Brady was the Bills' offensive coordinator in 2025, overseeing an offense that ranked 4th in the NFL in points per game, total yards, and rushing yards. However, the passing game struggled at times, ranking 15th in yards. Now as head coach, Brady will be tasked with building on that success and taking the team to the next level, all while managing the entire team and not just the offense.

  • The Bills hired Joe Brady as their new head coach on January 29, 2026.

The players

Joe Brady

The 36-year-old is the Bills' new head coach, despite having no prior head coaching experience. He was previously the team's offensive coordinator.

Josh Allen

The Bills' star quarterback, who is in the prime of his career and expected to lead the team to a championship.

Jim Leonhard

The Bills' new defensive coordinator, who is expected to bring an aggressive style to transform the team's defense.

Mike Garafolo

An NFL Network insider who has expressed doubts about the Bills' decision to hire the inexperienced Joe Brady as their new head coach.

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What they’re saying

“He's replacing a guy that made the playoffs eight of the last nine years. You make that move—and I understand why, like, we gotta get over the hump, we're in Josh Allen's prime here. But Joe Brady was the young fella that was coming along quick—the next young, the next Sean McVay.”

— Mike Garafolo, NFL Network Insider (NFL Network)

“So now you've got a partnership with Josh Allen that you know is going to go incredibly from that standpoint, but now you're the head coach. And how's the rest of the locker room, how's the defense going to respond to you?”

— Mike Garafolo, NFL Network Insider (NFL Network)

“Are you ready for this task. This is not, 'Oh, make the divisional round, great job in your first year, Joe. No, no, no. This is win it all and get there soon. I am fascinated by the Joe Brady hire.”

— Mike Garafolo, NFL Network Insider (NFL Network)

What’s next

The Bills will be closely watched as they navigate the transition to their new head coach and defensive coordinator. Their ability to quickly integrate the changes and continue their success will be a major storyline heading into the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Bills' bold move to hire the young and unproven Joe Brady as their new head coach is a high-risk, high-reward decision. If Brady can seamlessly take over the team and build on the offensive success, the Bills could be Super Bowl contenders. However, the pressure to win immediately is immense, and there are valid questions about whether Brady is ready for the task.