As the Buffalo Bills gear up for a pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, there's more than just playoff positioning on the line. With a chance to move to 11-4, the Bills are also keeping an eye on the AFC East race, hoping the Baltimore Ravens can take care of business against the New England Patriots. But while the focus remains on the field, there's a notable shift coming behind the scenes.
Offensive assistant Christian Taylor is set to depart the team at the end of the season. According to reports, Taylor will take on a new role as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Wyoming - a program that, not coincidentally, helped launch the career of Buffalo’s franchise quarterback.
Taylor’s move marks a significant step in his coaching journey and a return to the college ranks, where he’s already built a solid résumé. Before joining the Bills in 2024 as a defensive quality control coach, Taylor had carved out a diverse coaching path that included stops at San Diego State, Michigan, San Diego, and Illinois Wesleyan. His roots trace back to William & Mary, where he played quarterback and later started his coaching career as a tight ends coach in 2008, followed by a promotion to quarterbacks coach in 2009.
That William & Mary connection runs deep in the NFL coaching world - it’s the same alma mater as Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. And now, Taylor is stepping into a role that brings his journey full circle - from helping coach Josh Allen in Buffalo to leading the offense at the very place Allen once called home.
This season, Taylor took on a hybrid role as a defensive assistant and offensive advisor - a unique position that speaks to his versatility and football IQ. That kind of cross-functional experience is rare, and it’s part of what makes him such an intriguing fit for a college program looking to elevate its offensive identity.
For the Bills, the timing of Taylor’s departure won’t impact the current playoff push, but it does mark a change in the coaching infrastructure moving forward. As Buffalo continues its pursuit of postseason success, Taylor’s next chapter is already taking shape - and it’s one that connects past, present, and future in a way that only football can.