Brian Daboll might be heading back to where it all started.
The former New York Giants head coach is set to interview in person with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports. And if that feels like a full-circle moment, it’s because it is.
Daboll spent four seasons as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, helping lay the foundation for the explosive offense that turned Josh Allen into one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. His departure to New York left a noticeable void, and now, with Sean McDermott out, the Bills are seriously considering bringing Daboll back - this time to run the whole show.
It’s not just the football fit that makes this interesting. Daboll is a Western New York native, born and raised in Hamburg, and he stayed close to home for college at the University of Rochester.
He knows the area, the culture, and the expectations that come with coaching in Buffalo. That kind of connection matters - especially in a city where football isn’t just a game, it’s a way of life.
From a football standpoint, Daboll would bring a very different flavor than his predecessor. While McDermott built his reputation on defense, Daboll is all about the offense.
That contrast could be exactly what Buffalo needs after a season where inconsistency on both sides of the ball led to unmet expectations. His familiarity with Josh Allen is especially compelling.
The two built a strong rapport during Daboll’s first stint in Buffalo, and there’s reason to believe they could recapture that chemistry.
But Buffalo isn’t the only team knocking on Daboll’s door.
He’s already interviewed for the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job - a role that ultimately went to Robert Saleh - but the Titans aren’t done with Daboll just yet. They’re reportedly still pursuing him for their offensive coordinator position, especially with the potential of pairing him with promising young quarterback Cam Ward. Daboll has also taken a meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles regarding their offensive coordinator vacancy.
So while Daboll clearly has options, his eyes appear to be on Buffalo. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Daboll would accept the Titans’ OC job if the Bills opportunity doesn’t materialize - but make no mistake, his top priority is returning to Orchard Park as the head coach.
The Bills, for their part, are casting a wide net. Daboll is in the mix, but he’s not alone. The competition for one of the league’s most intriguing coaching vacancies is heating up, and Daboll will have to make a strong impression to land the job.
Still, there’s something about this potential reunion that feels right. The Bills are at a crossroads - a talented team that’s been knocking on the door for years but hasn’t quite broken through.
Daboll knows the terrain, knows the quarterback, and knows what it takes to build an elite offense in Buffalo. If the Bills want to get back to the version of themselves that looked like a legitimate Super Bowl threat, bringing back the coach who helped spark that rise might just be the move.