Buffalo Bills Open 2026 Training Camp With New Head Coach Joe Brady. Brady, Who

Brady Era Begins: Bills Open 2026 Training Camp at St. John Fisher

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — A new era of Buffalo Bills football officially got underway Wednesday as Joe Brady led his first practice as head coach, kicking off the 2026 training camp at St. John Fisher University.

On January 27, 2026, the Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to be the team's replacement for Sean McDermott, and he signed a 5-year deal to become the team's head coach.

The move came following the team's defeat in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, when the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons at the helm.

"We Haven't Earned a Damn Thing"

Speaking to media before the session, Brady set an urgent tone for his first camp in charge. "We've never been here before, and this training camp is going to be different than we've ever had. And that's not to say anything we've ever done is wrong, but I need the guys to understand that approach, and we can't assume anything," he said.

Brady was direct about the standard he's setting for a roster with high expectations, telling reporters the team hasn't accomplished anything yet this offseason and must earn everything moving forward.

A Different Feel to Camp

The Bills' 2026 camp carries several notable changes under the new coaching staff. The Buffalo Bills' 2026 training camp runs from July 29 to Aug. 7 at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, before transitioning to the team's practice facility and new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.

Brady said he wants training camp to be "extremely tough," and practice times will be earlier in the day than under Sean McDermott, moved up by an hour and 15 minutes.

Conditions didn't cooperate for the opener, though the head coach embraced it. "I think this is perfect," Brady said prior to the morning start. "It's the first day, 8:30 practice raining, that's what I want. It's got to be a tough camp," Brady continued.

Roster and Scheme Changes

Camp also marks the debut of a new defensive scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard. The biggest change the Bills made schematically under Joe Brady was bringing in Jim Leonhard, who gained attention last season as the Broncos' defensive pass game coordinator and previously ran a 3-4 defense as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator.

Among position battles to watch, the left guard spot remains open between Austin Corbett and Alec Anderson, with Corbett entering camp with a lead. Quarterback Josh Allen headlines a roster that also includes James Cook III, Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid as the Bills begin preparations for a season opener at the Texans on September 13.