Buffalo Bills hire Joe Brady as head coach after firing McDermott

The Buffalo Bills’ long-elusive first Super Bowl title remained out of reach after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs this past January.

While the Broncos prepared for the AFC championship game, the Bills were left to pack up for the offseason. Soon after, team owner Terry Pegula pointed to a belief that the Bills had effectively reached a “playoff wall” under Sean McDermott and decided it was time for a change.

McDermott’s nine-year run in Buffalo ended in January, kicking off the search for the Bills’ next head coach. Once the process began, star quarterback Josh Allen was given a voice in the decision.

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Then-interim Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 19, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

In a sit-down with Fox News Digital, Allen reflected on reviewing candidates with Bills brass and sitting in on interviews during the search.

“It was different,” Allen said. “There was no time to think about what happened before it was really on to the next… and (me) trying to help out as much as I can. It wasn’t my decision, it’s not my decision to (hire the coach) but to be in those interviews and (to) maybe present some ideas or present some questions that people hadn’t thought of from a players point of view, it was really cool to see that side too. Hopefully I’m nowhere near done playing, but that whole front office mindset and seeing how it works was eye opening for me.”

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“It was really interesting, it was really cool. I appreciate Mr. [Terry] Pegula and (Bills president of football operations and general manager) Brandon Beane for having me in those meetings and at least listening to what I had to say.”

After working through several candidates, Buffalo ultimately chose familiarity. The Bills elevated offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, a move that drew some pushback from critics who pointed to his place on a staff tied to multiple frustrating playoff exits. Brady’s role had shifted over time, from quarterbacks coach to interim offensive coordinator and eventually the team’s full-time offensive coordinator.

Buffalo has been eliminated in the divisional round in three of the past four seasons.

For Allen, Brady’s promotion does not appear to signal a dramatic shift. The quarterback said their existing relationship has made the transition feel natural, even as Brady settles into a larger role.

“It’s pretty much the same, it’s very authentic.” Allen told Fox News Digital. “Joe comes off as the most real guy you’ll every meet. However, he is cheering for the defense now, which is a new side that we didn’t get to see as the offensive coordinator. Obviously he wants to kicks the defense’s butt now. But, now I throw an interception, he’s cheering for the defense because they made a play.”

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leaves the field after a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)

“It is cool though to see him buy into it (and) really take control of what that defense is doing. And he understands everything that they’re doing. He brought in such as good staff. We’re very excited for the season.”

Beane said the Bills were not locked into hiring an offensive-minded coach, though the bulk of candidates’ backgrounds centered around offense. Brady was the first reported candidate to land an interview.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has a word with quarterback Josh Allen (17) after practice at the Buffalo Bills Training Facility in Orchard Park, New York, on Jul 28, 2021. (Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports)

For the Bills’ decision-makers, Brady’s appeal went beyond his offensive background. As the search took shape, what appeared to resonate most was how closely he matched the “CEO” vision Beane and Pegula. had outlined.

“It’s a CEO job. It really is,” Beane told reporters in January. “A lot of your time as a head coach or a GM gets taken away from me scouting, watching players or a coach in their scheming X’s and O’s, so we’ve got to make sure we get the leadership, the CEO part.”

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Allen has not been the only Bills offensive player to direct noticeable praise toward Brady since he stepped in as interim coordinator during the 2023 season. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir was among the group who shared messages of support shortly after Brady’s promotion to head coach was announced.

“Joe’s dope, man. Obviously, [my] career kind of took off a bit once Joe took over, so I got a lot of love for him and the trust that he’s had in me. … Just super appreciative of everything he does,” Shakir said.

Then-Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady stands next to quarterback Josh Allen (17) before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Oct. 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Tight end Dawson Knox echoed that support around the same time, saying, “I’m so thankful for [Brady], and this whole team, this offense has so much respect for him as a coordinator and as a man.”

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Allen followed up his 2024 NFL MVP campaign by leading the Bills to a wild-card round victory in January, scoring the decisive rushing touchdown in a thriller against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the 2025 regular season with 25 touchdown passes.

Allen and his wife Hailee Steinfeld welcomed their first child together in April.

“Our baby girl has arrived!!” Steinfeld wrote in a Substack titled “Special Delivery” at the time. “We’re feeling incredibly grateful and blessed and savouring these early moments. Thank you so much for the love and well wishes.”

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