Bills Week in Review: January 26

Buffalo Bills Weekly Roundup: A New Era Begins

The week of January 26 - February 1 marked a seismic shift in Buffalo Bills history, as the franchise embarked on its boldest organizational restructuring in nearly a decade. The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott on Monday after another season that failed to end in a Super Bowl appearance , ending a nine-year run that saw consistent success but fell short of the ultimate prize.

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Joe Brady Elevated to Head Coach

The Bills made the promotion of Joe Brady official, announcing they have agreed to a five-year deal to make their offensive coordinator the new head coach . The Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady, 36, who agreed to a five-year deal to become the youngest current head coach in the NFL . The promotion represents a vote of confidence in continuity for the Josh Allen-led offense, which has thrived under Brady's leadership since he took over mid-2023.

Since Brady took over as interim offensive coordinator in Week 11 of the 2023 season, the Bills have ranked first in expected points added per play (0.14) and second in points per game (29.1) . His players have rallied behind him, with Dion Dawkins previously praising Brady's approach: "He's a coach that you're going to want to do the right thing for because he does the right thing for you" .

Defensive Coordinator Homecoming

The Buffalo Bills hired Jim Leonhard as their defensive coordinator under new head coach Joe Brady on Saturday . The hiring brings a familiar face back to Buffalo, as he was an NFL safety for 10 seasons, which included two stops with the Bills—first from 2005 to '07 after he joined Buffalo as an undrafted free agent and later returning for a second stint in '13 .

Most recently, Leonhard served as Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator , giving him valuable experience working with Sean Payton's system. His hiring signals Brady's commitment to bringing in proven defensive minds to lead a unit that will need to adapt from Sean McDermott's defensive philosophy.

Complete Coordinator Overhaul

Brady wasted no time assembling his staff, hiring Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator and Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator. Carmichael, who initially joined the Saints in 2006 as quarterbacks coach, overlapped with Brady for two years in NOLA . The 48-year-old Rodgers has spent the last eight seasons as the Cardinals' special teams coordinator. He also held an assistant head coach title since 2020 .

Quick Hits

Bobby Babich, who spent the past two seasons as the Bills coordinator before leaving to take the same position in Green Bay last week , was replaced by Leonhard

• The coaching exodus continued with Ryan Nielsen departing for a Minnesota Vikings defensive line coach position

Brandon Beane, who will remain in his role as general manager in addition to taking on increased responsibilities as president of football operations, will lead the team's search for a new coach

Roster Watch

Pro Bowl Representation

Despite the coaching turmoil, Bills players received recognition at the league level. Quarterback Josh Allen, running back James Cook III and left tackle Dion Dawkins earned spots on the AFC roster for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Bills Tackle Dion Dawkins (73) during the first AFC Pro Bowl Practice at the Moscone Center confirmed Dawkins' participation in the February 1st practice sessions.

It's Allen's fourth Pro Bowl nod, Cook's third and Dawkins' fifth , highlighting the core talent that Brady inherits as he takes over the franchise.

Ongoing Roster Evaluation

With three new coordinators, expect comprehensive roster evaluations across all three phases. "Let's talk about our personnel, and let's make sure we're making the right decisions," said general manager Brandon Beane at Brady's introductory press conference on January 29 .

Looking Ahead

The week ahead will be crucial for Brady as he continues building his staff beyond the coordinator level. With the Pro Bowl festivities wrapping up, attention will turn to free agency preparation and the upcoming NFL Draft. The new coaching staff will need to quickly assess the current roster and identify areas for improvement.

The good news for Allen, who turns 30 in May, is that he does not have to learn a new offense , providing stability during this transition period. However, questions remain about how the defense will adapt under Leonhard's leadership and whether the special teams unit can maintain its effectiveness under Rodgers.

The Bills have made their bet on continuity with Brady while bringing in fresh perspectives on defense and special teams. Whether this combination can finally deliver Buffalo's first Super Bowl title remains the ultimate test of this organizational overhaul.