The Buffalo Bills are turning the page on a 2025 season that didn’t quite hit the mark, and they’re doing it with a bold new direction at the top. Joe Brady has officially taken the reins as head coach, and Jim Leonhard is stepping in to lead the defense. These aren’t just cosmetic changes - they’re foundational moves signaling a shift in identity and urgency for a franchise that knows time is of the essence.
There’s no rebuilding window here. No grace period.
In Buffalo, it’s win-now mode - and not just in the regular season. The Bills have been knocking on the door for years.
In 2026, the expectation is clear: break it down.
Brady’s promotion brings continuity on the offensive side of the ball, which could be a major plus. He already has a rapport with quarterback Josh Allen, and that relationship will be central to how far this team can go.
Offensively, the Bills have shown they can hang with anyone in the league when they’re firing on all cylinders. The question now is whether Brady can elevate them from consistently good to consistently great - especially in the postseason.
On the defensive side, Leonhard’s arrival adds intrigue. Known for his aggressive, adaptable schemes, Leonhard inherits a unit that’s had its moments but lacked consistency when it mattered most. If he can bring a sharper edge to the defense, the Bills could be a more complete team than they’ve been in years.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm recently slotted Buffalo at No. 5 in his early 2026 power rankings, underscoring the national belief that this team is still very much in the contender conversation. Edholm notes that while the Bills technically trail the Patriots in the AFC East pecking order right now, the division is still very much up for grabs - and Buffalo should see this season as a prime opportunity to reclaim the crown.
That opportunity is amplified by what the Patriots are up against. Mike Vrabel’s squad is staring down a brutal schedule that includes eight playoff teams from 2025 - and that’s not even counting the Lions or Chiefs, two teams with serious bounce-back potential. That gauntlet could open the door for Buffalo to surge ahead if they can maintain - or improve upon - the level of play they had under Sean McDermott.
And that’s really the key here. If Brady can keep the offensive rhythm intact, and Leonhard can elevate the defense, the Bills are right back in the mix. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel - they just need to refine it.
Of course, there’s still a lot we don’t know. Free agency and the draft will shape this roster in the coming months.
But based on what we do know, Buffalo isn’t backing down. They’re reloading - not rebuilding - and with the AFC East wide open, the path to the top is there for the taking.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for this franchise. The pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution.