Can the Buffalo Bills Finally Break Through in 2026?
The 2025 NFL season is in the books, and for the Buffalo Bills, it ended in all-too-familiar heartbreak. A gut-punch loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round has once again left the franchise staring at an offseason full of questions-and, perhaps, the need for answers that go beyond just X’s and O’s.
But this time, the Bills aren’t standing pat.
Buffalo made its biggest move right out of the gate, parting ways with head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott helped lead the team out of the wilderness and into consistent playoff contention, but after multiple postseason letdowns, the organization decided it was time for a new voice.
That voice? Joe Brady.
Rather than looking outside the building, general manager Brandon Beane chose to promote from within, handing the reins to Brady, who had been serving as the team’s offensive coordinator. It’s a bold move-one that signals continuity on one hand, but also a desire to evolve.
Brady now has the keys to a team that has been on the cusp for years. The question is whether he can take them further than McDermott ever could.
Vegas Believes-To a Point
Despite the coaching shakeup and another early playoff exit, there’s still plenty of belief in Buffalo’s potential. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bills enter the offseason tied for the third-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1200. Only the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams are ahead of them, with the Baltimore Ravens sharing that +1200 line.
Buffalo and Baltimore find themselves in similar territory-teams with elite quarterbacks, high expectations, and now, new head coaches. For the Bills, it’s Josh Allen who remains the centerpiece.
And the oddsmakers clearly haven’t lost faith in No. 17.
Allen currently leads the MVP odds at +600, just edging out Lamar Jackson.
The Bills are also tied with the Ravens for the best odds to win the AFC at +500. That’s not just Vegas hype-it’s a reflection of how much talent still resides on this roster, and how close this team has been for the last several seasons.
The Offseason To-Do List Starts With One Big Need
If Buffalo is going to meet those lofty expectations, it starts with surrounding Allen with more firepower. The postseason loss to Denver made it painfully clear: this team needs a true No. 1 wide receiver.
Allen is capable of putting the offense on his back, but even the best quarterbacks need that go-to guy-someone who can win one-on-one matchups, stretch the field, and make defenses pay for stacking the box. Without that, the offense becomes too reliant on Allen’s improvisation and legs, which, while spectacular, isn’t always sustainable in January.
Beane has shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or a blockbuster trade, finding Allen a top-tier weapon on the outside has to be priority No. 1.
A New Era, Familiar Goals
The Bills aren’t starting over-they’re retooling. The core remains intact, led by one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks and a front office that’s proven it knows how to build a contender. But the window doesn’t stay open forever.
With Joe Brady stepping into the spotlight and Josh Allen still in his prime, 2026 might be the season Buffalo finally gets over the hump. The talent is there.
The expectations are sky-high. Now it’s time to see if this version of the Bills can do what no other has: bring a Lombardi Trophy to Western New York.