The Buffalo Bills have appointed their offensive coordinator Joe Brady as the new head coach in a move aimed at maintaining continuity for the team led by quarterback Josh Allen, which has been successful but has yet to make it to a Super Bowl. Brady, 36, has signed a five-year contract with the team. He served as the offensive coordinator for two full seasons after taking over from Ken Dorsey midway through the 2023 season.
This promotion follows the departure of Sean McDermott, who had been with the team for nine years. Brady, who has no prior head coaching experience in the NFL, started his career with the New Orleans Saints before joining LSU’s national championship-winning team as a passing game coordinator.
Known as a rising coaching talent, Brady was previously the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers before being let go during the 2021 season. He shares a connection with McDermott as both played college football at William & Mary. Brady was the first candidate to interview for the Bills’ head coaching position, which saw a total of nine candidates, including former Giants coach Brian Daboll and Jacksonville offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
Under Brady’s guidance, the Bills’ offense saw improvements in balance and efficiency. The team adopted a “share-the-wealth” approach to the passing game, resulting in a more well-rounded offensive strategy. In the 2024 season, quarterback Josh Allen was named the AP NFL MVP, and the team ranked fourth in total yards and scoring.
Despite the team’s success in recent years, the Bills have fallen short of reaching the Super Bowl, with playoff losses preventing them from making it to the ultimate game. Owner Terry Pegula cited the team’s playoff struggles as the reason for parting ways with McDermott. The Bills are now looking to Brady to lead them to postseason success and take the team to the next level.
In another coaching move, Mike McCarthy has officially become the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 62-year-old McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, has previously served as the head coach for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, with a regular-season record of 174-112-2. McCarthy’s postseason accomplishments include a Super Bowl victory over the Steelers in the 2010 season.