Bills Promote Joe Brady as New Head Coach After Impressive Interview

The 33-year-old offensive coordinator convinced GM Brandon Beane he can lead Buffalo to the Super Bowl.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills have promoted 33-year-old offensive coordinator Joe Brady to be their new head coach after an extensive interview process. Bills GM Brandon Beane was impressed by Brady's approach to the interview, as well as his accountability for the team's playoff loss despite the offense scoring 30 points. Beane said Brady took responsibility and believed the offense could have done more, which convinced him that Brady gives the Bills their best chance of reaching the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

The Bills are looking to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl after making the playoffs in recent seasons. Hiring the young, up-and-coming Brady as head coach signals their belief that he can get them over the hump and lead them to a championship.

The details

During the interview process, Beane wanted Brady to treat it like he was coming in from another team, to see what the Bills' brass didn't already know about him. Brady impressed by being back at team headquarters for the interview, rather than doing a Zoom call from Florida like most other candidates. Beane also said Brady took accountability for the playoff loss, believing the offense could have done more even though they scored 30 points.

  • The Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after the 2025 season.
  • The Bills held an extensive search for their new head coach in early 2026.
  • Joe Brady was promoted to Bills head coach on March 2, 2026.

The players

Joe Brady

The 33-year-old offensive coordinator who was promoted to be the Buffalo Bills' new head coach.

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills who led the search for the team's new head coach.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills who was fired after the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“Joe was here, and Brian Daboll was here. I knew a couple of the people before. It was like, Everyone, walk into this room with the people we have in there that were part of the interview committee, as if we've never met you. Tell us how you grew up? What's your family life like? How'd you get to whatever college? How did you start your career? We did every one of those like that. And I say that because I thought that was the fairest way. It's like you want this trial to be in another place because you want the jury's head to be clear.”

— Brandon Beane, General Manager, Buffalo Bills (si.com)

“And that's what he truly believes. Some people say it. But you feel yhat with Joe—I've been with Joe after games that we lost, and one could argue maybe our offense kept us in the game, or we didn't get enough stops. And Joe's like, We could've done more.”

— Brandon Beane, General Manager, Buffalo Bills (si.com)

What’s next

The Bills will now work to build out Brady's coaching staff and prepare for the 2026 NFL season, where they will look to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl under their new head coach.

The takeaway

The Bills' decision to promote the young, up-and-coming Joe Brady signals their belief that he can get them over the hump and lead them to a championship. Brady's accountability and desire to always do more impressed GM Brandon Beane, who thinks the 33-year-old gives the team their best chance at reaching the Super Bowl.