Why was Sean McDermott fired by the Buffalo Bills?

Sean McDermott was fired after the Bills' overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs, with owner Terry Pegula citing the team's repeated 'playoff wall' and the devastation in the locker room as key factors.

What is Joe Brady's coaching history with the Buffalo Bills?

Joe Brady joined the Bills in 2022 as quarterbacks coach, became interim offensive coordinator in November 2023 after Ken Dorsey's firing, and was promoted to full-time offensive coordinator in 2024, serving through 2025.

What prior NFL experience does Joe Brady have before joining the Bills?

Before the Bills, Brady was offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2020-2021), passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach at LSU (2019 national championship), and offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints (2017-2018).

How did the Bills' offense perform under Joe Brady as coordinator?

Under Brady, the Bills averaged 30.9 points per game in 2024 with Josh Allen as MVP and an AFC Championship appearance; in 2025, James Cook led the NFL in rushing, but they lost in the divisional round.

What challenges does Joe Brady face as the new head coach?

Brady has no prior NFL head-coaching experience, the Bills are projected nearly $14 million over the 2026 salary cap, and historical promotions of coordinators since 2000 have rarely succeeded.

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Bills Promote Joe Brady To Head Coach After McDermott Firing

The Buffalo Bills promoted 36-year-old offensive coordinator Joe Brady to a five-year head-coaching deal on Jan. 27, 2026 as they aim for their first Super Bowl.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The Buffalo Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach on Jan. 27, 2026, signing him to a five-year contract, officials confirmed.

The promotion keeps play-calling continuity around quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said.

Owner Terry Pegula said the team "hit the proverbial playoff wall" in explaining the Jan. 17, 2026 firing of head coach Sean McDermott, officials confirmed.

Joe Brady, 36, completed his fourth season in Buffalo and has no prior NFL head-coaching experience, records show.

Brady faces salary-cap challenges with Buffalo projected to be nearly $14 million over the 2026 salary cap, according to Over The Cap.

Written using shared reports from

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Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources frame this coverage as evaluative and risk-averse, privileging stability and experience while casting bold hires as uncertain. Editorial choices use loaded terms ('flame out', 'puzzling firing'), emphasize pedigree over dissenting views, and foreground narrative judgments—distinct from quoted source content—about organizational culture and process.

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FAQ

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: Sean McDermott was fired after the Bills' overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs, with owner Terry Pegula citing the team's repeated 'playoff wall' and the devastation in the locker room as key factors.
Sources:
ESPN
: Joe Brady joined the Bills in 2022 as quarterbacks coach, became interim offensive coordinator in November 2023 after Ken Dorsey's firing, and was promoted to full-time offensive coordinator in 2024, serving through 2025.
Sources:
ESPN
: Before the Bills, Brady was offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2020-2021), passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach at LSU (2019 national championship), and offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints (2017-2018).
Sources:
Wikipedia
: Under Brady, the Bills averaged 30.9 points per game in 2024 with Josh Allen as MVP and an AFC Championship appearance; in 2025, James Cook led the NFL in rushing, but they lost in the divisional round.
Sources:
Go Long TD
: Brady has no prior NFL head-coaching experience, the Bills are projected nearly $14 million over the 2026 salary cap, and historical promotions of coordinators since 2000 have rarely succeeded.
Sources:
Buffalo Rumblings

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