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The Buffalo Bills’ long-elusive first Super Bowl title remained out of reach after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs last January.
As the Broncos prepared for the AFC Championship Game, the Bills had to pack their bags for the offseason. Shortly thereafter, team owner Terry Pegula emphasized the belief that the Bills had indeed hit a “playoff wall” under Sean McDermott and decided it was time for a change.
McDermott’s nine-year tenure in Buffalo ended in January, kicking off the search for the Bills’ next head coach. Once the process began, star quarterback Josh Allen had a say in the decision.
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Joe Brady, then interim offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
In an interview with PK Press Club Digital, Allen reflected on reviewing candidates with Bill’s executives and participating in interviews during the search.
“It was different,” Allen said. “I didn’t have time to think about what happened before I really moved on…and I was trying to help as much as I could. It wasn’t my decision, it’s not my decision to hire the coach but to be in these interviews and maybe present ideas or ask questions that people hadn’t thought of from a player perspective, it was really cool to see this team as well. Hopefully I’m far from done playing, but that whole mindset of the front office and seeing how it works was eye-opening for me.”
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“It was really interesting, it was really cool. I like Mr. [Terry] Pegula and (Bills president of football operations and general manager) Brandon Beane for inviting me to these meetings and at least listening to what I had to say. »
After considering several candidates, Buffalo ultimately chose familiarity. The Bills elevated offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, a move that drew some backlash from critics who pointed out his place on a team tied to multiple frustrating playoff exits. Brady’s role evolved over time from quarterbacks coach to interim offensive coordinator and eventually the team’s full-time offensive coordinator.
Buffalo has been eliminated in the divisional round in three of the last four seasons.
For Allen, Brady’s promotion doesn’t seem to signal a sea change. The quarterback said their existing relationship made the transition natural, even as Brady settles into a bigger role.
“It’s pretty much the same, it’s very authentic.” Allen told PK Press Club Digital. “Joe comes across as the realest guy you’ll ever meet. However, he’s cheering for the defense now, which is a new team that we haven’t had a chance to see as an offensive coordinator. Obviously, he wants to kick the defense’s butt now. But, now I throw an interception, he’s cheering for the defense because they made a play.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leaves the field after a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
“It’s cool to see him buy in (and) really take control of what this defense is doing. And he understands everything they’re doing. He’s brought in such a good staff. We’re very excited for the season.”
Beane said the Bills were not obligated to hire an offensive-minded coach, even if the bulk of the candidates’ backgrounds were focused on offense. Brady was the first reported candidate to land an interview.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane talks with quarterback Josh Allen (17) after practice at the Buffalo Bills practice facility in Orchard Park, New York on July 28, 2021. (Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports)
For Bills decision-makers, Brady’s appeal went beyond his offensive background. As the research took shape, what seemed to resonate most was how closely it fit Beane and Pegula’s “CEO” vision. had sketched.
“That’s the job of a CEO. It really is,” Beane told reporters in January. “A lot of your time as a head coach or general manager is taken away from me doing scouting, observing players or a coach in their X’s and O’s plots, so we have to make sure we have the leadership, the CEO part.”
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Allen hasn’t been the only Bills offensive player to praise Brady since stepping in as interim coordinator during the 2023 season. Receiver Khalil Shakir was among the group who shared messages of support shortly after Brady’s promotion to head coach was announced.
“Joe is awesome, man. Obviously, [my] my career kind of took off once Joe took over, so I had a lot of love for him and the trust he had in me. … I’m just very grateful for everything he does,” Shakir said.
Joe Brady, then offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, stands next to quarterback Josh Allen (17) before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Tight end Dawson Knox echoed that support around the same time, saying, “I’m so grateful for [Brady]and this whole team, this offense has so much respect for him as a coordinator and as a man.”
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Allen continued his 2024 NFL MVP campaign by leading the Bills to a wild card victory in January, scoring the game-clinching touchdown in a thriller against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the 2025 regular season with 25 touchdown passes.
Allen and his wife Hailee Steinfeld welcomed their first child together in April.
“Our baby girl has arrived!!” Steinfeld wrote in a substack titled “Special Delivery” at the time. “We feel incredibly grateful and blessed and are savoring these first moments. Thank you so much for your love and best wishes.”
