On January 27, 2026, the Buffalo Bills officially promoted Joe Brady to be their next head coach, signing him to a five-year contract after a thorough coaching search that followed the dismissal of longtime coach Sean McDermott. Brady emerges as one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL and carries high expectations as he takes the reins of a franchise led in recent years by MVP quarterback Josh Allen.
Career Path: From Assistant to Head Coach
Joe Brady (born September 23, 1989, in Pembroke Pines, Florida) began his football career as a player at Air Force and William & Mary, where he played wide receiver before transitioning into coaching.
His early coaching roles included positions at William & Mary and Penn State, followed by his first NFL role as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton. Brady’s coaching résumé expanded with a key stint at LSU in 2019, where he was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for a Tigers team that went undefeated and won the College Football Playoff National Championship. For his efforts that season, Brady won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.
Brady then served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. In early 2022, he joined the Buffalo Bills as their quarterbacks coach, later taking over offensive coordinator duties during the 2023 season and holding the full-time role through the 2025 season.
Why the Bills Chose Him Head Coach
Brady’s promotion is rooted in both continuity and offensive performance. Under his offensive leadership, the Bills consistently ranked among the NFL’s best:
- In 2025, Buffalo’s offense finished fourth in total yards and points scored, solidifying its position as one of the league’s most potent units.
- His unit excelled in the run game, red-zone efficiency, and third-down conversions, reflecting a balanced offensive philosophy.
- During his tenure as offensive coordinator, Bills quarterback Josh Allen produced some of his best career numbers, making Brady’s partnership with Allen a major factor in his candidacy.
The Bills organization elected to promote from within rather than pursue outside candidates following McDermott’s exit. Brady’s rapport with players – particularly Allen – and his offensive acumen played key roles in the decision.
At 36 years old, Brady becomes one of the youngest active head coaches in the NFL, with no prior head-coaching experience but a strong résumé of positional, coordinator, and leadership roles at both the college and professional levels.
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