The Buffalo Bills are in unfamiliar territory this offseason - searching for a new head coach for the first time in nearly a decade. And make no mistake, Josh Allen isn’t just watching from the sidelines.
The franchise quarterback is playing an active role in the process, reportedly even sitting in on interviews. That kind of involvement speaks volumes about how much weight Allen’s opinion carries in Buffalo these days.
While many assumed the Bills’ next head coach would be someone with a direct connection to Allen, the team’s interview list suggests a slightly wider lens. One name that’s surfaced is Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski - and his candidacy isn’t about Allen directly. It’s about Sam Darnold.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Darnold is a strong supporter of Udinski, and Darnold just so happens to be close with Allen. That connection might seem like a few degrees of separation, but in today’s NFL - where quarterback input can shape entire coaching staffs - it matters.
Udinski’s résumé is quietly impressive. Back in 2024, he was the assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings.
That season, Darnold led the Vikings to 14 wins and a playoff berth - a career resurgence that turned heads across the league. Udinski then made the jump to Jacksonville in 2025, where he took over as offensive coordinator and helped guide the Jaguars to another 14-win season and another trip to the postseason.
That’s two playoff appearances in two years with two different teams, and quarterbacks who played some of their best football under his watch.
And Darnold? He’s still rolling, now leading the Seattle Seahawks into the NFC Championship Game. That kind of trajectory - and the coaches tied to it - tends to get noticed.
Back in Buffalo, the search has leaned heavily toward offensive minds. The Bills have already interviewed former offensive coordinators Joe Brady and Brian Daboll, both of whom have worked closely with Allen in the past.
Davis Webb, a former backup quarterback in Buffalo who knows Allen well, is also in the mix. And then there’s Philip Rivers - yes, that Philip Rivers - who recently made a return to the league with the Colts and has now interviewed for the job.
Rivers and Allen also happen to share an agent, which adds another layer to the connection game.
What’s clear is this: whoever takes over in Buffalo will need Allen’s trust. Whether it’s a former coach, a former teammate, or a respected peer’s recommendation, the Bills are building their candidate pool around people who understand how to connect with their franchise quarterback. Udinski might not have coached Allen directly, but his work with Darnold - and the respect Darnold has for him - could carry weight.
The Bills are just over a week removed from their Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos, and their coaching vacancy has only been open for six days. But the early signs are telling.
Buffalo’s front office is prioritizing offensive leadership, quarterback familiarity, and proven development. With the NFL Combine fast approaching, the clock is ticking - and the next chapter of the Josh Allen era is about to be written.