KEY POINT
- Buffalo elevated Joe Brady after dismissing long-time coach Sean McDermott.
- The move prioritizes offensive continuity around quarterback Josh Allen.
- Super Bowl expectations now define success for the franchise.
The Buffalo Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach Tuesday, moving quickly after the franchise fired Sean McDermott following another early playoff exit in the 2025 NFL season, according to multiple reports.
Buffalo’s decision ends one of the most stable coaching tenures in the NFL and signals a shift toward urgency.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Bills and Brady agreed to terms, making the thirty-six-year-old one of the league’s youngest head coaches.
Buffalo’s decision ends one of the most stable coaching tenures in the NFL and signals a shift toward urgency. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Bills and Brady agreed to terms, making the thirty-six-year-old one of the league’s youngest head coaches.
McDermott led the Bills to the playoffs in eight of nine seasons and reached two AFC championship games, both losses to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite consistent regular-season success, Buffalo failed to reach a Super Bowl, prompting ownership to make a rare late-stage coaching change.
Brady joined the Bills in two thousand twenty-two as quarterbacks coach after serving as Carolina’s offensive coordinator. Josh Allen threw for more than four thousand yards in each of Brady’s first two seasons in Buffalo. Brady became interim offensive coordinator in two thousand twenty-three and was later named full-time OC, earning finalist recognition for Assistant Coach of the Year.
“Buffalo chose stability on offense over a full reset,” said Doug Whaley, former Bills general manager. “This move is about maximizing Josh Allen’s prime years.”
NFL salary cap analyst Jason Fitzgerald said the decision reflects leaguewide pressure. “Teams with elite quarterbacks are expected to contend immediately.
Patience is shrinking.”Brady inherits a roster built to win now. Anything short of sustained deep playoff runs will likely be viewed as falling short of expectations.
By promoting Brady, the Bills doubled down on offensive continuity while raising the stakes. The franchise has made clear that postseason appearances alone are no longer enough.