Joe Brady is getting his shot.
After a fast rise through the coaching ranks, the former LSU passing game coordinator has been named the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills. It’s a major move for both Brady and the franchise, signaling a shift in direction and a whole lot of trust in a young offensive mind who’s been turning heads for years.
Brady’s journey to the top has been anything but conventional, but it’s been impressive at every stop. He got his NFL start with the New Orleans Saints in 2017 as an offensive assistant, learning under Sean Payton and soaking up one of the league’s most innovative offensive systems.
But it was his one-year stint at LSU in 2019 that truly put him on the map. Working alongside Ed Orgeron and quarterback Joe Burrow, Brady helped engineer one of the most explosive offenses college football has ever seen.
That team went undefeated, won a national title, and saw Burrow take home the Heisman Trophy. Brady’s role in that offensive explosion earned him the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in college football.
From there, it was back to the NFL. Brady took over as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2020, where he spent two seasons trying to bring stability and creativity to a team in transition. In 2022, the Bills brought him in as quarterbacks coach, and it didn’t take long for him to climb the ladder again-he was elevated to offensive coordinator and now, just a short time later, he’s taking the reins as head coach.
This move isn’t just about rewarding potential. It’s about building around a coach who’s shown he can adapt, innovate, and connect with quarterbacks-something that’s crucial in today’s NFL. Brady also drew interest from other teams during this year’s hiring cycle, including an interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, but it’s Buffalo that’s betting big on his vision.
The Bills are handing the keys to a coach who’s already proven he can lead elite offenses and develop top-tier quarterback play. Now, the question becomes: can he translate that offensive acumen into full-team leadership? The opportunity is there, and Brady’s resume suggests he’s ready for it.