“I didn’t see that coming and think, ‘I want to be the head coach.’ I was broken,” Brady said on the Shout Buffalo Bills podcast. “I was broken for a guy that I worked for. I was also broken for the rest of the coaching staff that is sitting there, like, we’re all out of jobs right now. There was a lot of emotion going on.”
Brady joined the Bills as the quarterbacks coach in 2022, earning a promotion to offensive coordinator under McDermott. In January, he was named as McDermott’s replacement, stepping into a role with high expectations.
McDermott’s tenure with Buffalo spanned nine seasons, marked by consistent success and steady improvement. The 51-year-old coach posted a 98-50 record and secured double-digit victories in seven consecutive seasons. He guided the Bills to AFC Championship Game appearances in 2020 and 2024, though a Super Bowl berth eluded the team. McDermott leaves Buffalo as the franchise’s second-winningest coach, trailing only Marv Levy, who had 112 victories.
Brady reflected on the transition, noting that the organization is in a stronger position than when he took over the reins. “This organization is in a much better spot than when he took it over,” he said. “I’m not walking into the same situation that he’s walking into, and there’s so much good that comes from that. Sean was an extremely successful head coach. I hope, as I’m coaching, I can accumulate the wins he had and the success he had.”
Under Brady’s leadership as offensive coordinator, the Bills’ offense climbed into the upper echelon of the league. In recent seasons, the Bills have consistently ranked among the NFL’s top offenses in several key categories. Last season, Buffalo led the league in rushing yards per game (159.6) and time of possession (33:08), while ranking highly in red zone efficiency (66.2%), points per game (28.3), total yards per game (376.3), and third-down conversion rate (44.8%).
Since Brady became the primary play-caller, the Bills have averaged 29.6 points per game and 367.7 total yards per game. With quarterback Josh Allen continuing to perform at a high level, expectations for the team remain elevated as they prepare for the upcoming season.
As the Bills move forward, Brady’s experience and vision will influence the team’s continued development on offense. The transition at the head coaching position has drawn attention, but the organization appears committed to maintaining its trajectory of competitive play and offense-driven success. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Brady and the rest of the coaching staff adapt and build on the established foundation.
