The Buffalo Bills have named offensive coordinator Joe Brady as their next head coach, signing him to a five-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.
Brady takes over following the dismissal of Sean McDermott, who was let go after Buffalo’s overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round. McDermott, the second-longest-tenured coach in franchise history behind Marv Levy, spent nine seasons leading the Bills. During his tenure, Buffalo reached the playoffs eight times, posted one of the league’s best regular-season records since 2017, and advanced to two AFC Championship Games, though the team fell short of a Super Bowl appearance.
Before arriving in Buffalo, Brady, 36, helped design LSU’s record-setting offense during its 2019 national championship season, working with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He later served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, gaining valuable NFL experience despite uneven results.
Brady has been part of the Bills’ organization since 2022, initially serving as quarterbacks coach before stepping into the offensive coordinator role midway through the 2023 season. After replacing Ken Dorsey, Brady helped spark a dramatic turnaround. From that point forward, Buffalo posted the NFL’s best record and led the league in efficiency, finishing among the top teams in scoring and total offense.
Under Brady’s guidance, quarterback Josh Allen delivered the best stretch of his career, earning his first MVP award in 2024. The Bills also set franchise single-season records that year for total points and touchdowns. In 2025, running back James Cook captured the NFL rushing title, while the offense remained among the league’s most productive units. His strong relationship with Allen proved central to his rise in Buffalo. Allen has repeatedly praised Brady’s leadership and energy, saying last season, “[Brady’s] one of the most positive guys in the building. He’s always got juice and energy for the guys. I think that’s something that we love and appreciate about him, and he’s as real as they come.”
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