Buffalo Bills general manager and President of Football Operations Brandon Beane spoke with the media earlier today at the NFL combine, answering all kinds of questions including what happened last month with the firing of Sean McDermott. However, that is old news and we are moving forward.
With the hiring of Joe Brady as the Bills’ new head coach comes a new coaching staff that includes a veteran that no one saw coming. The Bills hired former NFL head coach John Fox as a Senior Assistant and he will be a great mind to have in the building as Brady begins his head coaching career.
Throughout Fox's NFL coaching career, it has included being the head coach of the Panthers, Broncos, and Bears. He’s been to two Super Bowls as well, adding the experience of knowing what it takes to reach the Super Bowl.
Albert Breer said that a request that the Bills had of Brady upon being hired was to find an experienced ex-head coach who could be a “sounding board”.
Brandon Beane talks more about impact of John Fox hiring
Beane talked about Fox more with the media at the combine and talked about the impact Fox has had on him and what he will be for the Bills. Per Thad Brown, Beane told the media "He's one of the reasons I'm here. He's coached in two Super Bowls. He knows what it looks like. He'll be a great sounding board." said Beane.
Brandon Beane on John Fox:
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) February 24, 2026
"He's one of the reasons I'm here. He's coached in two Super Bowls. He knows what it looks like. He'll be a great sounding board."
Beane says he suggested Fox to Joe Brady as assistant with HC experience. Brady sat with Fox a bit wanted him on board.
Fox and Beane worked in Carolina and having that connection ultimately helped the Bills land Fox. The initial conversation between Brady and Fox worked out and now he will be on the sidelines this coming season.
It’s a new era for the Bills with Brady leading the way. Things are going to change from what they were the last nine seasons under Sean McDermott. Since McDermott had a great amount of success, Brady will have big shoes to fill and he will have to prove that he was the right coaching candidate to replace McDermott.
McDermott became the top winning coach in franchise history, won five consecutive division titles, and created a culture that Buffalo lacked for nearly two decades. However, he could never reach the Super Bowl despite making the AFC championship twice. The Bills decided to make the move to fire McDermott and not only keep Beane, but also promote him.
Now he and Brady will be leading the charge in hopes of doing what McDermott couldn’t do for the Bills throughout his tenure.