There is a new head coach in Buffalo, and he is a familiar face.
The Bills are promoting Joe Brady to head coach, with reports indicating the former offensive coordinator has agreed to a five-year deal to replace Sean McDermott.
Brady enters his first career head coaching job with massive expectations, as owner Terry Pegula made it clear after firing McDermott that playoff disappointments were the main factor behind the decision. Brady will be faced with what is just about a Super Bowl-or-bust situation in Buffalo from day one.
Here’s what you need to know about Brady and the decision to make him the Bills’ next head coach.
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Why Bills promoted Joe Brady
The Bills officially announced Brady as their head coach on Tuesday.
We’ve agreed to terms with Joe Brady on a 5-year contract to become our next head coach! pic.twitter.com/zYiukOSz6g
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 27, 2026
The Bills weren’t satisfied with their constant playoff disappointments, but they evidently are not pinning the blame on Brady after axing McDermott.
While the Bills changed their offensive approach when Brady replaced OC Ken Dorsey in 2023, focusing more on the running game and unlocking James Cook wile trying to curb Josh Allen’s turnovers, the defense was often more of an issue than the offense in big moments under McDermott.
After all, Buffalo still scored 30 points on the road against a tough Denver Broncos defense in its playoff loss, even while committing five turnovers.
By promoting Brady, the Bills are giving Allen some continuity and familiarity while giving the young offensive mind a chance to reshape the culture of the locker room.
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Joe Brady contract details
Brady has agreed to a five-year deal to become head coach of the Bills, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
NFL coaching salaries are rarely made public, so the value of Brady’s deal is not known at this time.
Joe Brady-Josh Allen relationship
The familiarity between Brady and Allen was undoubtedly part of the equation during the hiring process, particularly with Allen sitting in on interviews.
In November, Brady detailed how he and Allen are able to work together so well. “We speak in truth and honesty, we both hold each other to the same accountability,” Brady said.
Considering Allen’s role in the coaching search, there is no doubt he gave Brady his stamp of approval. Allen will have an offensive-minded head coach for the first time in his career, and the Bills are going with someone who has earned his trust over the past four years rather than returning to the Brian Daboll era that saw more of a high-flying passing game but sometimes more turnovers as a result.
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How old is Joe Brady?
Brady is 36 years old; he is set to turn 37 on Sept. 23, shortly after the start of the season.
Barring a younger hire before the end of this coaching cycle, Brady becomes the youngest active NFL head coach, just behind 37-year-old New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore.
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Joe Brady coaching timeline
- 2013-14: William & Mary (LBs coach)
- 2015-16: Penn State (graduate assistant)
- 2017-18: New Orleans Saints (offensive assistant)
- 2019: LSU (pass game coordinator, WRs coach)
- 2020-21: Carolina Panthers (offensive coordinator)
- 2022-23: Buffalo Bills (QBs coach)
- 2023-25: Buffalo Bills (offensive coordinator)
- 2026: Buffalo Bills (head coach)
Brady is a first-time head coach, but he had stops as an offensive coordinator with the Bills and Carolina Panthers before his promotion.
Brady’s breakthrough came in 2019, when he returned to the college ranks and had a role in overseeing a historically great Tigers offense led by Joe Burrow, but he lasted less than two seasons as the Panthers’ OC under Matt Rhule.
