Bills Head Coach Joe Brady Signals a New Era for Franchise

Brady emphasizes this is "Year One" as he takes over the team following Sean McDermott's departure.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:48pm

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The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era with Joe Brady as the team's new head coach, replacing the long-tenured Sean McDermott. Brady made it clear during a recent press conference that he plans to do things his own way, stating "This isn't just Joe Brady's in and everything's business as usual." The 34-year-old Brady faces high expectations to get the Bills over the top and deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.

Why it matters

After several seasons of coming close but falling short under McDermott, Bills fans are eager for a fresh start and a new approach that can finally deliver a championship. Brady's comments signal he understands the need for change and is ready to put his own stamp on the organization.

The details

Brady, who is taking over his first NFL head coaching job, emphasized that this is "Year One" for the Bills and that he won't simply be continuing McDermott's tenure. He wants the entire organization to embrace the new direction he plans to take the team, rather than dwelling on the past. The 34-year-old Brady faces high expectations to build on the team's recent success and get the Bills over the hump after they came close to reaching the Super Bowl in recent seasons.

  • The Bills are entering the 2026 NFL season with Joe Brady as their new head coach, replacing the long-tenured Sean McDermott.

The players

Joe Brady

The 34-year-old is taking over as the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, replacing Sean McDermott. Brady is facing high expectations to lead the Bills to their first Super Bowl championship.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was let go after several seasons of the team coming close but failing to reach the Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, look, this is Year One, it's not Year 10. This isn't just Joe Brady's in and everything's business as usual, right? It's important that everybody in the organization knows it because if we continue to speak about how things used to be, then we'll never continue to go forward. I have so much respect for the past, but it's Year One in organization right now.”

— Joe Brady, Head Coach, Buffalo Bills (Sporting News)

What’s next

The Bills will need to have a strong offseason in free agency and the draft to build the roster that Brady envisions for his new era as head coach.

The takeaway

Joe Brady's comments make it clear he is ushering in a new era for the Buffalo Bills, one focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. After several close calls under Sean McDermott, Bills fans are eager for Brady to put his own stamp on the team and finally deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.