Since he was hired in 2022, Buffalo Bills fans have known it’s just a matter of time before offensive coordinator Joe Brady would depart for a head coaching position. After fielding several interviews last season, many expect him to be at the top of many teams’ lists for potential candidates this upcoming offseason.
After all, Brady, just 36, has been a fast riser through the coaching ranks. He burst onto the scene in 2019 by helping to orchestrate the LSU Tigers’ historic passing game, headlined by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
Now that he’s worked with Josh Allen for three seasons in Buffalo, his next opportunity should be knocking on his door soon, though a turbulent 2025 campaign could undo those expectations.
New report suggests Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady could face uphill climb in hiring cycle
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler joined in a conversation about the potential changes NFL fans can expect to see around the league, with head coach and general manager jobs set to begin their annual carousel. In the process, he poured cold water on the idea that Brady’s candidacy is as red-hot as it was expected to be.
“One thing this cycle has in spades is defense. It's lacking a bit on offense,” Fowler wrote. “I'm expecting Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to be in the mix in Tennessee (and possibly elsewhere). Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady have earned interview chances but aren't considered runaway prospects at this point.”
Kubiak and Brady both have arguments for their success to translate to a promotion: Kubiak with the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Brady by helping Josh Allen preserve his MVP status despite a void at wide receiver while also unlocking James Cook’s potential on the ground. But, as Fowler points out in his breakdown of the candidates, offensive minds with prior head coaching experience, such as Matt Nagy or current Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, could be more appealing to teams around the league.
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While Brady’s 2025 offense is certainly open to criticism, it stacks up well with the rest of the league despite its shortcomings. The Bills rank 4th in third-down conversion rate, sixth in red-zone touchdown rate, first in rushing touchdowns, and second in rush yards per attempt heading into the season finale. Still, Bills fans aren’t satisfied with ranking 16th in turnovers and 20th in sacks allowed. Josh Allen’s 40 sacks are the most in his career.
Of course, Fowler’s take doesn’t eliminate Brady as a head coach candidate this offseason. Plenty of teams would be searching for their next head coach the day after Week 18 wraps up, and Brady will be in the mix.
That said, if Brady doesn’t land a head coaching gig and returns to Buffalo next season, hopefully his offense gets some help out wide and shores up its protection schemes for 2026.