The Buffalo Bills are making it clear-they’re not content with coming up short in the Divisional Round yet again. After another postseason letdown in 2025, the organization made a bold move, parting ways with longtime head coach Sean McDermott and elevating offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top job. Now, Brady has taken the next step in shaping his vision for the team, bringing in a familiar face to help lead the offense.
Buffalo is hiring Pete Carmichael as their new offensive coordinator, reuniting Brady with a coach he worked under during his early NFL days in New Orleans. The connection runs deep-Brady was part of Carmichael’s staff from 2017 to 2018 during Carmichael’s lengthy and successful run with the Saints. That familiarity should pay dividends as the Bills look to reset and retool their offensive identity heading into 2026.
Carmichael most recently served as a senior offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos from 2024 to 2025, following Sean Payton to the Mile High City. Despite a roster that lacked elite playmakers, Denver’s offense turned heads last season.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had limited weapons, but the Broncos still managed to field one of the league’s more efficient attacks. That speaks volumes about the structure and adaptability of the scheme Carmichael helped implement.
Now, Carmichael steps into a much different situation in Buffalo. Instead of trying to prop up a young QB, he’ll be working alongside one of the league’s most dynamic signal-callers in Josh Allen.
Allen, who turns 30 before the 2026 season, remains the engine of this team-a dual-threat force who can change a game with his arm or his legs. Add in a rising star in running back James Cook, plus a versatile group of receivers and tight ends, and Carmichael has a lot more to work with in this new role.
It’s important to note that Brady will remain the primary play-caller, much like Sean Payton does in Denver. That gives Carmichael the chance to focus on game-planning, quarterback development, and building out the weekly offensive blueprint without the pressure of calling plays on Sundays. In a way, it’s a perfect setup-Brady gets a trusted voice in the room, and Carmichael gets to do what he does best: design and refine high-level offensive football.
Make no mistake, the offense is going to be the focal point in Buffalo this season. With Allen entering his 30s and the clock ticking on this Super Bowl window, there’s a real sense of urgency.
The Bills have been close-painfully close-but haven’t been able to break through. If they’re going to finally get over the hump, it’s going to take consistent, high-level execution on offense.
That’s where Carmichael comes in.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills still have a major decision to make. The defensive coordinator position remains vacant, though ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard is a top candidate. Leonhard, known for his aggressive schemes and player development, would bring a fresh voice to a defense that’s seen its share of ups and downs in recent years.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, Buffalo is quietly putting together a staff that blends continuity with new ideas. Brady and Carmichael already speak the same offensive language, and if the Bills can land the right defensive mind to complement them, this team could be poised to take the next step.
The pressure is real. The expectations are high. And in Buffalo, the window is still open-but it won’t stay that way forever.