The Buffalo Bills didn’t have to look far to find their next head coach-and that’s exactly the point. In a move that keeps the franchise steady and the AFC East competitive, the Bills are finalizing a deal to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top job.
This comes just a week after the Miami Dolphins made their own coaching splash by hiring Jeff Hafley. But when Sean McDermott was unexpectedly let go, it left a massive void in Buffalo-and opened the door for a potential shakeup in the division.
That shakeup won’t be happening. Not in Buffalo, at least.
Joe Brady: The In-House Answer
Brady was one of the most talked-about names in this year’s head coaching cycle, and for good reason. He’s been instrumental in elevating Josh Allen’s game, helping the star quarterback sharpen his reads and become more efficient-particularly in the red zone. While Allen’s turnover issues have lingered, Brady’s offensive scheme has kept the Bills in the playoff hunt season after season.
Now, the 34-year-old offensive mind gets his shot to lead the team outright. And while it’s a big step up, it’s also a logical one.
Promoting Brady brings continuity to a roster built to win now. The Bills know what they have in him.
More importantly, so does Josh Allen.
Cleaning Up the Turnovers
One of the biggest challenges Brady inherits is helping Allen cut down on the turnovers that plagued the team in critical moments. That issue, more than anything else, played a role in McDermott’s departure.
Brady’s task is clear: keep the offense explosive, but smarter. The raw talent is there.
The chemistry is there. Now it’s about discipline and decision-making-especially late in games.
Staff Stability-with a Few Changes
Brady is expected to retain much of the current coaching staff, which should help ease the transition. That said, the Dolphins have already made a move of their own, hiring Bills special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. It’s a small but notable loss, especially considering how tight divisional matchups can come down to field position and special teams execution.
Buffalo reportedly explored other options-there were conversations with Phillip Rivers and Mike McDaniel-but both candidates withdrew from consideration. McDaniel has since joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Chargers, taking over as offensive coordinator in Los Angeles.
What This Means for the AFC East
The Bills’ decision to stay in-house doesn’t exactly shake the foundation of the AFC East, but it does reinforce it. With Brady at the helm, Buffalo remains a top-tier team in the division. The Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl run, and while the Jets are still sorting out their identity-with coordinators in place who reportedly won’t be calling plays-the Bills and Patriots continue to set the standard.
As for Miami, the rebuild under Jeff Hafley is just beginning. There’s expected to be significant turnover on the roster and coaching staff, and the Dolphins are still trying to close the gap between themselves and the top of the division. That gap has existed for nearly a decade, and while Hafley brings a fresh perspective, the road ahead remains steep.
Bottom Line
Buffalo didn’t overthink it-and that’s a win in itself. Promoting Joe Brady keeps the Bills on their current trajectory without the disruption that comes with a full regime change. It’s a smart, steady move in a division where stability is starting to separate the contenders from the rest.
The AFC East just got a little more settled. And for Bills fans, that’s exactly what they needed.