If an NFL team is successful for long enough, other franchises always come to steal what they can. As the Buffalo Bills gear up for another playoff run, rumors have been surfacing about offensive coordinator Joe Brady's chances at becoming a head coach in 2026.
Now, those rumors have become a bit more concrete. The Baltimore Ravens requested to interview Brady for their head coaching vacancy this week, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
If the Bills lose Brady, it would be a major blow to Sean McDermott's staff and a benefit to one of their most competitive AFC rivals.
Bills' Joe Brady gets interview request from Ravens
An interview is far from being an official hire, but this could be a sign of things to come. This early in the coaching cycle, it's a likely indicator that Brady will get more interviews for open jobs. Even if he doesn't leave this season, he may not be around for much longer.
The Bills have dealt with this before, of course. Brian Daboll left his position as Buffalo's OC to become the New York Giants' head coach, and the Bills quickly recovered from losing him. Josh Allen can be successful no matter who is calling the plays, but that doesn't discount how difficult it is to put a completely new system in place and keep up the same level of play.
Under Brady, the Bills have established a clear offensive identity based in running the ball out of heavy looks and letting Allen take over in key moments. If they lose Brady this offseason, that identity may shift.
The Bills can choose to deny the Ravens’ request to interview Brady if they wish. Because Brady has not been a head coach before and he’s still under contract, Buffalo doesn’t have to allow him to interview elsewhere. As Rapoport mentioned in his announcement, Brady would only be available to interview with the Ravens after the Bills’ Wild Card round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend.
But as one of the top young offensive coordinators in the league, Brady will likely be a highly sought after coaching candidate over the next few years. Whether it happens this offseason or not, the Bills need to start preparing for this transition. Still, Bills fans will hope that Brady doesn’t end up strengthening one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC.