Just two days after the Buffalo Bills sent shockwaves through the NFL by parting ways with longtime head coach Sean McDermott, the search to fill one of the league’s most high-profile vacancies is already in motion-and the list of candidates is as intriguing as it is diverse.
According to league sources, the Bills are lining up interviews with a mix of familiar faces and rising coaching stars. That list includes current Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and Commanders run game coordinator and running backs coach Anthony Lynn. Daboll and Anarumo are reportedly the first in line for in-person interviews.
General Manager Brandon Beane, now also serving as the team’s president of football operations, is leading the charge in the coaching search. Beane made it clear during Wednesday’s press conference that the list of candidates is still growing-and that includes staffers from the four teams still alive in the conference championship round, who are currently off-limits for interviews this week.
One key wrinkle in this process: Josh Allen will have a voice. The reigning MVP and face of the franchise is expected to provide input on who will be guiding the next phase of his career. That makes sense-this hire isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about chemistry with the quarterback who defines the team’s identity.
Let’s take a closer look at the names in the mix.
Brian Daboll is a name Bills fans already know well. A Western New York native, Daboll was instrumental in Allen’s early development, serving as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2021.
That stretch saw Allen evolve from a raw prospect into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Daboll’s head coaching stint with the Giants didn’t yield a winning record (20-40-1), but his offensive acumen is still respected around the league.
He’s reportedly a top candidate for several coordinator roles, including a potential reunion with Robert Saleh in Tennessee-unless the Bills bring him back to Orchard Park first.
Joe Brady, meanwhile, is the in-house candidate and perhaps the most seamless option if continuity is the priority. After taking over for Ken Dorsey late in the 2023 season, Brady helped steer the offense back on track.
The Bills have finished top-10 in both yards and scoring over the past two seasons, and Brady was a key figure during Allen’s MVP campaign in 2024. Still, the offense showed signs of inconsistency this season, and Brady’s relatively limited head coaching experience could be a factor.
That said, he’s already drawn interest from other teams this hiring cycle, which speaks to his growing reputation.
Lou Anarumo, who directed the Colts’ defense this season after a successful run with the Bengals, brings a defensive pedigree that could appeal to a team looking to regain its edge on that side of the ball. Anarumo’s units have consistently played with discipline and physicality-traits that resonate in January football. His head coaching candidacy has picked up steam across the league, and Buffalo’s interest suggests they’re not limiting their search to offensive minds.
Grant Udinski is one of the more intriguing names on the list. Just a few years older than Josh Allen, Udinski helped engineer a remarkable turnaround in Jacksonville, taking a 4-13 team and turning them into a 13-4 division winner.
The Jaguars nearly knocked off the Bills in the wild-card round, and Udinski’s offensive creativity has caught the attention of several front offices. His youth and rapid rise make him a wild card, but a compelling one.
Anthony Weaver, currently with the Dolphins, is another rising name in coaching circles. At 45, he’s drawn interest from several teams, including the Steelers and Ravens. Weaver’s defenses have been known for their aggression and adaptability-qualities that could bring a new identity to a Bills team that’s been searching for that final push toward a Super Bowl.
Then there’s Anthony Lynn, the most experienced candidate in the group. Lynn posted a 33-31 record during his four-year tenure as head coach of the Chargers and has deep ties to Buffalo, having served on Rex Ryan’s staff and even stepping in as interim head coach for the final game of the 2016 season. At 57, Lynn offers a steady hand and a player-first approach, which could appeal to a locker room still reeling from McDermott’s departure.
The Bills' decision to move on from McDermott-who took the team to the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons and never missed the divisional round in the last six-wasn’t made lightly. But after another season ending short of the Super Bowl, and a gut-wrenching loss to the Broncos that left players like Allen visibly emotional, the organization is clearly looking for a new spark.
This coaching search isn’t just about finding someone to manage the sideline-it’s about identifying the leader who can take a perennial contender and finally push them over the top. With a franchise quarterback in his prime, a front office committed to winning, and a fan base hungry for a title, the stakes in Buffalo couldn’t be higher.
The next hire will say a lot about where the Bills see themselves-and where they want to go.