The Buffalo Bills made a headline-grabbing move this offseason, naming Joe Brady their next head coach. And while the decision has sparked a range of reactions-some calling it a safe, internal choice-there’s no shortage of support for Brady from those who’ve worked with him firsthand. Case in point: Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson, who knows Brady well from their time together at LSU, didn’t hold back his praise during a recent appearance on the Sports Seriously podcast. The All-Pro wideout lit up when talking about his former coach, crediting Brady with playing a major role in his development and eventual rise to the NFL.
“We had so much fun together just building and working on our craft,” Jefferson said, reflecting on their 2019 season at LSU-a year that ended with a national title and one of the most explosive offenses college football has ever seen.
Jefferson, a first-round pick in 2020, didn’t mince words when it came to Brady’s impact on his career. “I feel like he was mostly the reason why I got picked first round,” he said. “He’s the reason why my hands got better, why a lot of things occurred during that season.”
That’s not just lip service. Brady served as LSU’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach during that historic 2019 run, helping mold Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall Jr. into one of the most dominant receiving corps in college football history. For Jefferson, who’s gone on to become one of the NFL’s elite receivers, that foundation clearly still resonates.
Now, with Brady making the leap from offensive coordinator to head coach in Buffalo, Jefferson couldn’t be happier for his former coach.
“I’m just proud of him,” Jefferson said. “To go from the Saints to LSU and now he’s back in the league, now he's about to be a head coach-it’s a blessing.”
Jefferson also made a point to mention the potential pairing of Brady and Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a duo that has the potential to be electric if things click. “I’m excited to see how he carries that team and how he controls that team,” Jefferson added.
For Bills fans, hearing Jefferson speak so highly of Brady is an encouraging sign. Buffalo’s offense has shown flashes under Brady’s direction as OC, particularly in how it adapted late in the season. With Allen under center and some key offseason decisions looming-especially at wide receiver-Brady’s offensive vision is going to be under the microscope from day one.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Jefferson’s comments are bound to stir up some wishful thinking in Buffalo. The Bills are in need of a wide receiver boost, and General Manager Brandon Beane has never been shy about making bold moves-just ask Stefon Diggs.
But before anyone starts photoshopping Jefferson into a Bills uniform, let’s pump the brakes. The financial math here is daunting.
Jefferson carries a $38.99 million cap hit in 2026, and if the Vikings were to trade him, they’d eat a massive dead cap hit-$46.46 million before June 1, and $13.49 million after. In short: it’s a long shot.
Still, it’s worth noting that relationships matter in this league. Brady and Jefferson clearly have one. And while the numbers make a trade highly unlikely, the admiration Jefferson has for his former coach is real-and it speaks volumes about the kind of leader the Bills are getting.
For now, Buffalo fans can take comfort in knowing that one of the best receivers in the game believes in their new head coach. And that’s not nothing.