With four NFL head coaching jobs still up for grabs, a familiar pipeline is once again drawing attention - Buffalo. Whether it’s former Bills head coaches, assistants, or players, Buffalo ties are running deep in this year’s hiring cycle. Seven names connected to the franchise have either interviewed or drawn serious interest, and the list reads like a who's who of rising minds and seasoned vets.
Let’s break down the former Bills figures making noise in this year’s coaching carousel.
Sean McDermott
After nine seasons at the helm in Buffalo, Sean McDermott was let go on Jan. 19, just two days after the Bills’ overtime heartbreaker against Denver in the AFC Divisional Round. It was a tough end to a largely successful run.
McDermott posted a 98-50 regular-season record and led the Bills to the playoffs seven times. His final six seasons were especially dominant - 73-27 over that stretch - but the postseason remained elusive, with an 8-8 playoff record and no Super Bowl appearance.
Despite his recent exit, McDermott hasn’t yet surfaced in any head coaching interviews. Before Buffalo, he built his résumé as a defensive coordinator in Philadelphia and Carolina, and it’s hard to imagine he’ll be on the sidelines for long.
Joe Brady
If there’s a young name heating up the coaching market, it’s Joe Brady. The Bills’ offensive coordinator has become one of the most talked-about candidates of this cycle - and for good reason.
Since taking over play-calling duties midway through 2023, Brady has helped steer Buffalo to a 31-10 record. Under his guidance, the Bills’ offense has ranked top five in scoring in both of his full seasons.
Josh Allen took home the NFL MVP in 2024, and James Cook led the league in rushing in 2025 - a testament to Brady’s ability to tailor schemes around his stars. The Bills have averaged 28.4 points per game in the playoffs with Brady calling the shots.
He’s already interviewed with four teams still searching for a head coach: the Bills, Cardinals, Falcons, and Raiders. Brady’s rise has been fast, but his results speak volumes.
Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll’s connection to Buffalo runs deep. The West Seneca native served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, overseeing Josh Allen’s transformation from raw prospect to MVP-caliber quarterback.
Daboll helped Allen post career highs in 2020 - 4,544 passing yards and 37 touchdowns - and played a pivotal role in modernizing Buffalo’s offense. After his time in Buffalo, Daboll took over as head coach of the New York Giants and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2022. His résumé includes five Super Bowl rings as an assistant with the Patriots and a national title with Alabama, making him one of the most decorated candidates on the market.
Davis Webb
Davis Webb may not have made headlines as a player, but his coaching trajectory has been meteoric.
After three seasons on Buffalo’s practice squad (2019-21), Webb made his NFL debut with the Bills in 2021 and quickly earned the trust of both Josh Allen and Brian Daboll. The Bills reportedly wanted to keep him on staff as an assistant QBs coach, but Webb chose to follow Daboll to the Giants in 2022.
Since then, Webb has climbed the ladder fast. He joined Sean Payton’s staff in Denver in 2023 as quarterbacks coach and was promoted to pass-game coordinator in 2025. A former third-round pick out of Texas Tech, Webb’s sharp football mind is turning heads across the league.
Anthony Lynn
Anthony Lynn’s time in Buffalo (2015-16) was brief but impactful.
He started as the running backs coach under Rex Ryan and was promoted to offensive coordinator during the 2016 season. That year, the Bills led the NFL in rushing, with LeSean McCoy, Tyrod Taylor, and Karlos Williams each topping 500 yards on the ground.
Lynn stepped in as interim head coach for the season finale before landing the head job with the Chargers. He went 33-31 over four seasons in Los Angeles and now serves as the run-game coordinator and running backs coach for the Washington Commanders. Lynn’s experience and leadership continue to make him a respected voice in coaching circles.
Kelvin Sheppard
Kelvin Sheppard’s NFL journey began in Buffalo, where he was drafted in the third round in 2011. He spent two seasons with the Bills and played in 107 games over an eight-year career.
After retiring in 2018, Sheppard began coaching at LSU before joining Dan Campbell’s staff in Detroit in 2021. His rise has been swift - he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2025 and is now viewed as one of the league’s most promising young defensive minds. Sheppard brings both player experience and a sharp coaching acumen to the table.
Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz’s lone season in Buffalo may have been short, but it was memorable.
As defensive coordinator in 2014, he led a unit that finished top four in both points and yards allowed and racked up a league-high 54 sacks. That group featured Pro Bowlers Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, and Marcell Dareus - a dominant front that helped the Bills to their first winning season in a decade.
Schwartz was famously carried off the field by his players after a win over his former team, the Lions. Since 2023, he’s been the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in his first season there. His prior head coaching experience in Detroit (2009-13) adds another layer to his candidacy.
Final Thoughts
Buffalo’s coaching tree is branching out in a big way this hiring cycle.
From rising stars like Joe Brady and Davis Webb to proven leaders like Brian Daboll and Jim Schwartz, the Bills’ influence is all over the NFL landscape right now. Whether it’s the culture that’s been built in Western New York or the talent that’s come through the building, one thing’s clear - the league is watching what Buffalo has grown.