Joe Brady
Buffalo Bills Head Coach.
Quick Facts
- Role: Head Coach
- Team: Buffalo Bills (BUF)
- Current holder: Joe Brady (age 36; promoted from OC after Sean McDermott was fired)
- Coaching tree: see Coaching Trees
Background
Was already Buffalo's offensive coordinator and play-caller. Promoted to HC in 2026 after the team fired Sean McDermott (nine seasons) following the divisional-round playoff loss. Pete Carmichael Jr. (from Denver) is the new offensive coordinator. Jim Leonhard came over from Denver as defensive coordinator.
Scheme and Tendencies
Status quo on offense (he was already calling plays) — Josh Allen-led, top-of-league passing attack. Defense should change under Leonhard. Bills used six of 10 draft picks on defense, including DT T.J. Sanders and CB Davison Igbinosun in the second round, plus signed Bradley Chubb. Coaching philosophy emphasizes showing standards rather than just telling them, building relationships beyond football, fostering accountability, and deliberately "flooding" players with information to identify who can handle complexity. Brady is comfortable challenging Allen and expects Allen to hold him accountable in return (per Pollock: Brady gets first taste as Buffalo Bills head coach during OTAs).
Recent News
- 2026-08-29 — NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds: Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends on Biggest Games (NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds: Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends on Biggest Games)
- 2026-08-06 — NFL power rankings: As preseason opens, AFC field appears to be wide open (NFL power rankings: As preseason opens, AFC field appears to be wide open)
- 2026-08-24 — NFL Power Rankings: Seahawks' injuries push NFC West rival into top Super Bowl spot as... (NFL Power Rankings: Seahawks' injuries push NFC West rival into top Super Bowl spot as...)
- 2026-08-29 — 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating All 32 Teams After Preseason Action (2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating All 32 Teams After Preseason Action)
- 2026-08-25 — 2026 NFL betting preview, odds: My favorite bets for Coach of the Year (2026 NFL betting preview, odds: My favorite bets for Coach of the Year)
- 2026-08-28 — Which NFL win total projections are too low, too high or just right? - The Athletic (Which NFL win total projections are too low, too high or just right? - The Athletic)
- 2026-08-27 — 2026 NFL season: Ranking all 32 teams' watchability, excitement (2026 NFL season: Ranking all 32 teams' watchability, excitement)
- 2026-08-26 — CBS Sports NFL roster rankings 2026: Rams lead league's top 16 teams, defending... (CBS Sports NFL roster rankings 2026: Rams lead league's top 16 teams, defending...)
- 2026-07-24 — NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses (NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses)
- 2026-06-26 — Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season (Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season)
Sources
- FOX Sports 10 new coordinators who could shape 2026
- NFL 2026 head coach cycle leaned offense (10 hires, NYT)
- Fantasy Alarm 2026 NFL head coach and coordinator tracker