The Buffalo Bills are keeping their foot on the gas in their search for a new coordinator, lining up a pair of notable interviews for Thursday: former Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The team also met with current offensive coordinator Joe Brady earlier this week, signaling that all options are on the table as they look to reset and reload for 2026.
Let’s start with Daboll. Bills fans know this name well - and for good reason.
Daboll was the architect behind Josh Allen’s breakout during his run as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. His creative play designs and aggressive approach helped turn the Bills into one of the league’s most explosive offenses, and his work earned him the Giants’ head coaching job in 2022.
Daboll made an immediate impact in New York, guiding the team to the playoffs and earning NFL Coach of the Year honors in his first season.
But the momentum didn’t last. Over the course of three seasons, Daboll’s Giants went 20-40-1, including just one playoff appearance and one postseason win.
Still, his offensive pedigree - shaped by stints with the Patriots, Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, and even Alabama - makes him a strong candidate for another shot at running an NFL offense. He just interviewed with the Eagles for their OC job, so it’s clear he’s a hot commodity this cycle.
Then there’s Lou Anarumo, a veteran defensive mind with over three decades of coaching experience. After cutting his teeth in the college ranks, Anarumo made the jump to the NFL in 2012 with the Dolphins, where he coached the secondary. He had a brief stop with the Giants before landing in Cincinnati, where he served as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2024.
Anarumo’s defenses were known for their adaptability and clutch performances, especially during Cincinnati’s deep playoff runs. But after a down year in 2024, he was let go and quickly scooped up by the Colts.
In 2025, his defense in Indianapolis showed mixed results - ranking 23rd in total yards allowed and 21st in points allowed. The pass defense struggled, finishing 31st in passing yards allowed, but the run defense was a bright spot, cracking the top 10 at seventh overall.
The Bills’ interest in Anarumo suggests they’re not just focused on offense in this hiring cycle. With Sean McDermott’s background on the defensive side, bringing in a seasoned coordinator like Anarumo could give the unit a fresh voice while maintaining the physical, disciplined identity Buffalo’s defense has built over the years.
Meanwhile, Joe Brady - the in-house option - is still firmly in the mix. After taking over midseason, Brady helped stabilize the offense and build chemistry with Josh Allen. Whether that’s enough to keep the job remains to be seen, but the fact that the Bills are casting a wide net indicates they’re serious about finding the right fit.
Bottom line: Buffalo’s interviews this week aren’t just about filling a vacancy - they’re about setting the tone for the next chapter. Whether that means reuniting with a familiar face like Daboll, bringing in a defensive veteran like Anarumo, or sticking with Brady, the Bills are clearly weighing every angle. And with a roster still built to contend, the decision they make here could shape how far they go in 2026 and beyond.