The Buffalo Bills have opened the 2026 season with a new voice in charge, and Joe Brady’s first month on the job has drawn a respectable, if not spotless, review.
Buffalo turned to Brady after moving on from longtime head coach Sean McDermott this offseason, betting that a change at the top could help push the team past another year of falling short. Josh Allen was eager to see what Brady could bring, and the early results have at least kept the Bills in the thick of things.
Through four games, Buffalo is 3-1 under Brady. That’s a strong start on paper, but the past two weeks have added a little more gray to the picture. The Bills were upset by the New England Patriots last week despite being heavy favorites, and the week before that they narrowly escaped with a win over the winless Los Angeles Chargers at home.
That uneven stretch is part of why NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report handed Brady a “B” in his rankings of the league’s new head coaches. The grade fits the reality: the Bills are winning, but not always cleanly.
There’s still plenty for Buffalo to sharpen up, especially on offense. Allen has to cut down on turnovers, and Brady has been working with the veteran quarterback on staying relaxed and not forcing too much during games.
For now, the early returns are encouraging. Brady has brought a fresh feel to the team, and Buffalo remains one of the AFC’s top contenders.
But the real judgment won’t come until the playoffs, where the Bills have too often come up short in recent years. With Brady now steering the ship, Buffalo is hoping he can be the piece that changes that outcome.
In Other News...
James Cook Could Be Central To Buffalos Bounce-Back Against The Rams
After a frustrating loss to New England, the Bills turn their attention to a Week 5 matchup with the Rams looking for a steadier offensive rhythm, and James Cook figures to remain right in the middle of it. He has been one of Buffalos most reliable pieces through the first month, piling up 421 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries while helping keep the offense from leaning too heavily in one direction.
Cooks recent stretch has only reinforced his value, with a score on the ground in each of the past three games. ESPN Fantasy sees him continuing in a featured role against Los Angeles, projecting a workload heavy enough to shape Buffalos approach if the Bills can get back on track and establish the run early. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Passing Game Suddenly Rests On Keon Coleman In Week 5
The Bills passing game has been forced to adjust for a couple of weeks now, and the next test could lean even more heavily on Keon Coleman. With the offense already navigating a receiver room that has had to reshuffle since early in the season, Coleman has been the one stepping into a larger role and producing enough in Weeks 2 and 4 to keep Buffalo moving through the air. Against the Rams, that growth matters even more because the Bills need someone besides their usual perimeter threats to create separation and keep the passing game balanced.
Colemans challenge is a familiar one for young receivers: keep building trust while drawing top defensive attention. The Rams have the kind of corner play that can make every target feel crowded, and Buffalos staff has reason to believe Coleman is ready for the assignment based on how he has handled his expanded opportunities so far. If the receiver situation breaks the wrong way, though, the Bills may have to ask even more of him than they planned when the week began. [Read more 🡒]
Bills-Rams Has Extra Stakes For One Buffalo Reunion
Monday nights meeting between the Bills and Rams comes with a little extra history attached, because several players will be facing a former team. Buffalo has its own notable reunion built into the matchup, with four current Bills having once spent time in Los Angeles, a wrinkle that adds another layer to a game already carrying plenty of national attention.
One of the more intriguing names in that group is Michael Hoecht, who is now back with Buffalo after his Rams stint and the long road back from suspension and an Achilles tear. He is not the only one with ties to both sides, either, as Austin Corbett, Greg Gaines and Greg Dortch also have time in the Rams organization, giving this prime-time game a familiar feel for a few players who know both locker rooms well. [Read more 🡒]