Bills Promote Joe Brady To HC
The Bills have elected to take the internal route regarding their head coaching position. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been promoted to the role, as first reported by Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
The news is now official, per a team announcement. This is a five-year agreement, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds. After a nine-year run with Sean McDermott at the helm, the Bills will hope a familiar first-time head coach will be able to get them over the hump in the postseason.
Once McDermott was fired in the wake of Buffalo’s latest divisional round loss, Brady was named as a logical replacement candidate the team knows well. Indeed, the Bills showed interest in former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and ex-Josh Allen teammate Davis Webb while weighing their options. All three have received looks elsewhere on the market, but instead of departing Brady has elected to remain in place and take over Buffalo’s staff.
Brady interviewed twice with the Ravens and Raiders for their HC vacancies. He also arranged an in-person meeting with the Cardinals, but that will not take place. A promotion always loomed as a strong possibility in this case, and after working in Buffalo the past four years Brady will now take on a head coaching position for the first time in his career by remaining in a familiar spot.
The 36-year-old spent two seasons as a Saints assistant before joining LSU’s staff for 2019. Brady’s work with the national champions that year drew attention based on the Tigers’ remarkable offensive production and boosted his coaching stock to a large extent. It immediately landed him an OC gig with the Panthers. Things did not go according to plan during Matt Rhule‘s Carolina tenure, but Brady did not need to wait long to find a new opportunity once his two-year Panthers run came to an end. He joined the Bills in 2022 as their quarterbacks coach.
Ken Dorsey was in place as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator at the time. That remained the case until midway through the 2023 campaign, when Dorsey was fired. Brady took over for the remainder of the season and stayed in place as the team’s play-caller through 2024 and ’25. During his two full years as an OC, Buffalo ranked second and then fourth in the NFL in scoring. The Bills also posted top-10 finishes in total offense under Brady.
Expectations will no doubt remain high for the team on offense with Brady still in place and a core highlighted by Allen under contract. Buffalo remained strong as a rushing team this past season, but struggles in the passing game proved to be an issue. The Bills will presumably aim to bring in at least one notable pass-catcher this offseason, but in the meantime Brady will now turn his attention to building a staff.
An OC replacement will need to be sought out, with a decision on whether or not Brady will call plays being required as well. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich remains in place at this time; Babich has worked as the team’s DC for the past two years but his Buffalo tenure dates back to 2017. It will be interesting to see how much Brady prioritizes experience as opposed to seeking out external options over the coming days.
As part of the decision to move on from McDermott, Bills owner Terry Pegula elected to promote general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations. That elevated Beane’s standing in the organization and no doubt increased his sway during HC interviews. Allen also had input in the head coaching decision, and the coordinator in place from his 2024 MVP season will remain in the organization moving forward.
Candidates with a wide range of coaching experience interviewed with the Bills in the aftermath of McDermott’s dismissal. Other highly-regarded staffers such as Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak may have also received a look, but Buffalo was not eligible to speak with him until after the Super Bowl. Instead of waiting for Kubiak or any other external candidates, Pegula and Co. have decided to promote from within.
Bills Expected To Pursue Broncos’ Jim Leonhard For Defensive Coordinator
Although the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after another disappointing postseason defeat, they didn’t venture outside the building for his replacement. The Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Tuesday, though it doesn’t appear he’s content to run it back with McDermott’s staff.
Bobby Babich has been the Bills’ defensive coordinator since 2024, but his job is now in serious jeopardy. Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to emerge as a leading candidate for the Bills’ D-coordinator role, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Bills may become the fourth team this offseason to pursue Leonhard for that position.
Leonhard, 43, interviewed with the Cowboys and Jets earlier this month. The Cowboys have since hired Christian Parker, but the Jets’ gig is still available. Leonhard was also reportedly a finalist to become the Giants’ defensive coordinator before they hired Dennard Wilson.
An NFL defensive back from 2005-14, Leonhard spent a decent chunk of his career in Buffalo, where he played from 2005-07 and again in 2013. He went into coaching at his alma mater, Wisconsin, in 2016. Leonhard’s first (and only) experience as a defensive coordinator came with the Badgers from 2017-22. He also led the Badgers to a 4-3 record as an interim head coach in 2022, but he left after they hired Luke Fickell for the full-time post.
After Leonhard spent a year as a senior football analyst at Illinois, Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered him his first NFL coaching opportunity. Leonhard was the Broncos’ defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator in 2024, when cornerback Patrick Surtain II earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Broncos are now coming off a season in which they finished with the league’s seventh-ranked pass defense, earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC and advanced to the conference title game. Although the Broncos’ pass defense allowed just 86 yards to MVP candidate Drake Maye on a snowy Sunday, injured quarterback Bo Nix‘s absence proved too much to overcome in a 10-7 loss.
With Denver’s season over, Payton may soon have to replace Leonhard. If Leonhard returns to Buffalo as a coach, he’d grab the reins of a defense that ranked first against the pass, seventh in yards, 12th in scoring and 15th in takeaways in 2025. Those are solid to great numbers, but the Bills will need to repair a porous run defense and an unspectacular pass rush. Only four teams allowed more yards on the ground than the Bills, who finished a below-average 19th in sacks.
The Bills’ lack of pressure on Nix proved costly in a 33-30 loss to Denver in the divisional round. After failing to sack Nix in an elimination game, the Bills could turn to one of the Broncos’ coaches to lead their defense in 2026.
Philip Rivers Withdraws From Bills’ HC Search; Team To Interview Davis Webb
Philip Rivers did well in his recent head coaching interview with the Bills. It will not result in him being hired, however. 
The longtime NFL quarterback has withdrawn from consideration in Buffalo’s search, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. As recently as yesterday, the Bills were reported to be giving “serious consideration” to a Rivers hire despite his lack of coaching experience. Instead, both parties will move in a different direction.
Once the regular season ended, Rivers confirmed his three-game cameo with the Colts late in the year represented his final action as a player. The potential for head coaching interest was immediately raised, although Buffalo is the only team which has interviewed him so far. Provided that remains the case, Rivers will likely return to coaching his eldest son’s high school team for the 2026 season.
The 44-year-old has coached at the high school level for four years. He has never held a position on any NCAA or NFL staff, something which would have made a head coaching hire a rather noteworthy one. Rivers’ football IQ and leadership qualities played a key role in his success as a player, and they could easily translate into a coaching career. Interest in his case during future hiring cycles will be something to watch for.
The Bills, meanwhile, will proceed with their search for Sean McDermott‘s replacement. A number of outside candidates have spoken with the team so far, while offensive coordinator Joe Brady looms as an option to be promoted to head coach. Buffalo was linked yesterday to interest in Davis Webb, who is currently in place with the Broncos but spent part of his playing career as a teammate of Josh Allen with the Bills.
Webb immediately turned his attention to coaching once his playing career ended following the 2022 season. He was a member of Sean Payton‘s initial Broncos staff in 2023, serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach. In 2025, the 31-year-old had pass-game coordinator added to his title. With the Broncos’ season having ended yesterday, Webb and his colleagues are free to speak with interested teams as the HC carousel continues to spin. Per Russini, Webb will indeed meet with the Bills this morning.
In the wake of today’s updates, here is where the Bills now stand:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/22; prefers Buffalo gig
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/24
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/23; withdrew from search
- Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback: Interviewed 1/23; withdrew from search
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/24
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): To interview 1/26
Bills To Interview Nate Scheelhaase For HC
Nate Scheelhaase is considered a leading candidate for the Browns head coaching job, but that won’t stop the Rams pass-game coordinator from considering other opportunities. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills have requested a head coaching interview with Scheelhaase. The meeting is expected to take place tonight, per Schefter.
The 35-year-old conducted an in-person interview with the Browns today, his second meeting with the organization. The coach is also a candidate for the open Raiders gig, and he interviewed for the Ravens and Steelers jobs. While the Browns could have locked him into a contract, Scheelhaase’s next stop on the interview circuit will lead him to Buffalo.
The former Illinois QB got his first coaching gig at the school, and he later left for a promotion at Iowa State. While working for the Cyclones, Scheelhaase primarily worked with the skills positions, coaching the likes of David Montgomery, Breece Hall, Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson. He eventually worked his way up to offensive coordinator in 2023.
Scheelhaase later got his first NFL job on Sean McVay‘s staff. He spent the 2024 campaign serving as the Rams passing game specialist before being named their pass game coordinator for the 2025 season. The organization proceeded to lead the NFL in scoring this year and ranked second in passing yards.
The Bills continue to seek a replacement for Sean McDermott. Their wide-ranging search includes:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/22; prefers Buffalo gig
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/24
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/23; withdrew from search
- Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback: Interviewed 1/23; withdrew from search
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/24
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/26
Grant Udinski Withdraws From Browns’ HC Search, Reaches New Jags OC Agreement
Another candidate has taken himself out of contention for the Browns‘ ongoing head coaching search. Grant Udinski is no longer in the running to be hired by Cleveland. 
Udinksi has withdrawn from the Browns’ search, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Notably, he adds Udinski and the Jaguars have reached a new agreement; a pay raise has been worked out, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds. 2025 marked the first season for Udinski in Jacksonville, with him serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.
That position did not include play-calling duties, a responsibility head coach Liam Coen handled. Nevertheless, it represented another move up the ladder in Udinksi’s coaching career. The 30-year-old has only been an NFL staffer since 2020, spending two years with the Panthers and then three in Minnesota. Udinksi’s stock rose sharply during his Minnesota tenure, and it came as little surprise when he landed a coordinator opportunity last winter.
Jacksonville ranked sixth in scoring this season en route to a division title. Coen was of course a key figure in that success, but Udinkski helped his HC candidacy as well. A first opportunity to lead an NFL staff could still be coming. Per Garafolo, the Jags will allow Udinski to continue pursuing the Bills‘ HC opening. If a Buffalo hire does not take place, though, Jacksonville will have stability on the sidelines in 2026.
Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter have also withdrawn from consideration in Cleveland’s case. McDaniel has an agreement in place with the Chargers to become their offensive coordinator, although he is not entirely out of the running for a head coaching gig at this point. Minter, meanwhile, was hired by the Ravens as their new HC last week. Udinski’s future is unclear at this point, but he will not be heading to Cleveland despite interviewing twice with the team.
The Browns have an internal candidate in the form of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Cleveland has also met with Todd Monken and Anthony Lynn in person. The Browns could arrange interviews with one or both of Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula now that the Rams’ season has ended. Given today’s news, it is increasingly clear a member of that group will emerge as the Browns’ eventual hire.
Raiders’ HC Search Moving Forward With Second Interviews
The Raiders are one of four teams remaining with a head coaching vacancy as the six other vacancies have filled with new head coaches in the last few weeks. Because many of the candidates they are interested in have had limited availability to interview as they have been participating on playoff staffs, the elimination of two more teams today is expected to help move the Raiders’ search on to the next stages. 
For starters, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today that Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady is currently in Las Vegas for a second interview with the team. This is only the third candidate to receive a second interview with the Raiders. The team hosted Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for second interviews this past week, but Minter quickly came off the board after accepting an offer to coach his former team in Baltimore. Vegas was also expecting to host former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before he accepted the job in Atlanta.
Brady has been connected to three of the four remaining open jobs, including the one with his current team, which moved on from former head coach Sean McDermott. Brady saw a meteoric rise following a single year as the passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach at LSU the year the Tigers won a championship on the arm of Joe Burrow and the hands of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. That run led to an offensive coordinator opportunity in Carolina, but Brady was fired before his second season came to end. He rebounded quickly with a job in Buffalo as quarterbacks coach, taking over the offensive coordinator job upon Ken Dorsey‘s mid-2023 dismissal and holding the position ever since. This will be Brady’s first in-person interview of the coaching cycle. The Cardinals haven’t met with him virtually yet, but they’re also expected to meet with him in-person soon.
Las Vegas is also expected to meet with Broncos passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for a second interview this week, according to Schefter. Webb has been mentioned as a candidate for a couple teams, but the Raiders are the only team to actually interview him thus far. They won’t be for long, though, as Schefter adds that the Bills also have interest in meeting with Webb for their head coaching job.
If the Broncos had beaten the Patriots today to head to the Super Bowl, Vegas would’ve held an advantage over Buffalo. Their early interview with Webb would’ve made it permissible for the Raiders to meet with Webb between the AFC Championship game and the Super Bowl, but because they didn’t do an early initial meeting, as well, the Bills would’ve been forced to wait until Denver’s season had come to a close in Santa Clara. Instead, they’ll be able to plan for an interview with Webb as soon as he’s finished his meeting with Las Vegas, and according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Buffalo is expected to do just that. Landing a head coaching job would be extremely impressive, as the 31-year-old hasn’t even served as an offensive coordinator.
In addition to Brady and Webb, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is considered “a prime candidate” following the impression he made in his first interview with the team. Similar to the advantage over Buffalo mentioned with Webb, the Raiders should be able to meet with Kubiak sometime before the Super Bowl, since they interviewed him early in the month. Since Buffalo was not able to conduct those early interviews, they should be forced to wait until Seattle’s season is over. Other head coaching candidates the team has interviewed that this would apply to is Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
Speaking of Shula, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post claimed that the defensive coordinator in Los Angeles is firmly in the mix for the Raiders’ top position. Bonsignore also hinted that, should Shula be the hire, Rams quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone would be a name to look out for as an offensive coordinator reporting to Shula. Ragone has three years of coordinator experience in Atlanta, where despite not having the best weapons, he was able to put together one of the league’s better rushing offenses.
The Broncos’ loss today opens the door for more interview action in Las Vegas, and should the Rams fall tonight, even more movement could occur. Here’s the latest breakdown on the Raiders’ search for their next head coach:
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/24
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To conduct second interview 1/21
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18; withdrew from search
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9; considered a “prime candidate”
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/19
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/8; withdrew from search
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): To conduct second interview
Sean McDermott Could Avoid Coaching In 2026
Four head coaching vacancies are still present around the NFL. Sean McDermott would no doubt be among the top candidates on the market, but he has not yet been linked to a hire during the waning stages of this year’s hiring cycle. 
That may remain the case for some time. The recently-fired Bills head coach “has not engaged” with any of the teams currently in need of a new HC, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes (video link). Buffalo has yet to hire his replacement, while the Cardinals, Browns and Raiders still have an opening on the sidelines.
Many of the other vacancies around the league have been viewed as more attractive than those in Arizona, Cleveland and Las Vegas. Certain candidates – such as Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter (Browns) and Kevin Stefanski (Raiders) – have withdrawn from those teams’ searches. Klay Kubiak, meanwhile, recently took himself out of the running for all remaining HC positions.
Nothing is final at this point, but Rapoport names McDermott as a candidate to join those staffers by avoiding any of the gigs he could receive consideration for. A return to defensive coordinator duties could be possible, but Rapoport adds McDermott received positive reviews when speaking to others who spent one year out of coaching after a lengthy spell with one team came to an end.
As such, it is currently “likely” McDermott will be out of the league for 2026, per Rapoport (contrary to a recent report which stated he intended to immediately resume his career). The 51-year-old entered the NFL in 1999 with the Eagles; his first coaching role came about two years later. McDermott worked his way up to defensive coordinator as a longtime member of Andy Reid‘s staff. After two years in that role, he spent six leading the Panthers’ defense. McDermott then joined Brandon Beane in moving from Carolina to Buffalo.
The Bills made the postseason eight times in McDermott’s nine years coaching the team. Buffalo advanced to at least the divisional round of the postseason on each of those occasions, but an inability to reach the Super Bowl increasingly became an issue. Owner Terry Pegula opted to promote Beane while moving on from McDermott, who sports a .662 winning percentage in the regular season (something which will no doubt make him a coveted staffer when he chooses to return).
Once the conference title games wrap up, further clarity on the remaining HC vacancies will emerge. McDermott is free to speak with interested suitors at any time, but that may not take place barring a shift on his stance regarding the 2026 campaign.
Brian Daboll Prefers Titans’ OC Job If Unable To Land HC Post?
JANUARY 25: The Titans “would like to hire Daboll ASAP,” Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes (video link). It remains to be seen if a return to Buffalo or a Raiders hire will be possible in Daboll’s case. Failing that, a mutual coordinator interest in the case of the Titans clearly exists.
JANUARY 21: Brian Daboll is officially part of the Bills‘ head coaching interview process, receiving a request Wednesday. He will meet with his former team about replacing Sean McDermott. Like Mike McDaniel, however, the recently fired HC is in the mix for multiple coordinator positions.
The Eagles interviewed Daboll for their OC job, but they do not appear to be his preferred choice. If Daboll is unable to land the Buffalo HC job, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes he would prefer to end up in Tennessee as Titans OC. The Eagles view Daboll as wanting to return to Buffalo, which certainly makes sense seeing as he is a Western New York native. HC salaries also dwarf coordinator money, in most cases. But a Titans-over-Eagles preference intrigues.
Philadelphia has tremendous talent on that side of the ball, but this is the team’s fourth OC search in four years. The Eagles fired both Brian Johnson and Kevin Patullo after one season apiece, and headlines regarding disgruntled players — A.J. Brown chief among them — have been regular occurrences since the team’s Super Bowl LVII appearance. That said, both Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore have used Philly OC gigs as springboards to HC opportunities.
Tennessee, conversely, has been one of the league’s worst operations over this span. Amy Adams Strunk’s decision to fire Mike Vrabel backfired, and Brian Callahan was done after 23 games. The Titans have hired Robert Saleh, who was believed to be targeting a McDaniel reunion for his OC plan. The Chargers, who interviewed Daboll for their OC job, scuttled that plan by tabbing McDaniel to call plays under Jim Harbaugh. Daboll, however, has come up as a candidate as well. It is believed he will have options despite the downward-trending Giants tenure ending with an in-season firing. The Eagles and Titans aren’t the only teams “pushing hard” to land him as OC, Russini adds.
The Titans will present coordinator options with 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward to develop. Not too much is around Ward presently, with Calvin Ridley expected to be released, but the AFC South team is projected to hold more than $93MM in cap space. No team outflanks them there presently, but after back-to-back three-win seasons, the Titans obviously have plenty of work to do.
More OC jobs will open up as HC posts are filled. The Ravens’ OC job, in particular would provide considerable intrigue, and it is worth wondering if Daboll would consider reprising his role as Bills OC if he is passed over for the HC job. The Titans interviewed Daboll for their HC position, going with Saleh as their retread of choice. Yet, Daboll remains interested in relocating to Nashville. He may need to choose a destination before the Bills determine their OC, but for now, teams are waiting on Daboll’s HC fate in Buffalo.
Nick Sirianni has not called plays in Philly since midway through the 2021 season, providing an interesting opportunity. But with Daboll not believed to want this job, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes the Eagles may need to cast a wider net after their top targets — Daboll and McDaniel — are likely unavailable.
It is not known if Sirianni will give full autonomy to any candidate, McLane adds, but that would have happened with Daboll or McDaniel. The latter did end up interviewing virtually for the Eagles’ job, per the Inquirer’s EJ Smith, but chose the Bolts.
Bills Conduct HC Interview With Philip Rivers
JANUARY 25: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes (video link) Rivers’ interview went well. He adds a head coaching hire – unorthodox as it would be – is under “serious consideration” by the Bills at this time. Buffalo’s decision on this front will be among the league’s top storylines over the coming days.
JANUARY 23: The list of Bills targets for their head coaching vacancy continues to grow. One of the more interesting names on the market will now receive a look. 
Philip Rivers is set to interview with Buffalo today, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The eight-time Pro Bowler briefly resumed his playing career down the stretch, making three starts for the Colts after Daniel Jones was lost to an Achilles tear. Rivers later confirmed he would not play again.
[RELATED: Bills To Interview Mike McDaniel For HC Job]
The door is open to a coaching career, however. Prior to the 2026 head coaching hiring cycle beginning, Rivers was named as a wild-card candidate to watch. As of earlier this month, he had yet to receive an interest from around the NFL. With the Bills in the midst of their search, though, at least one interview will now take place.
Before he un-retired, Rivers had been coaching his eldest son’s high school team. The 44-year-old has stated a desire to return to that role for 2026 in the absence of an NFL opportunity. Rivers’ football acumen and leadership were sources of praise throughout his decorated career, making him a logical candidate for a coaching role of some kind.
On the other hand, Rivers has never worked as a head coach, coordinator or position coach at the pro or college levels. That lack of experience would make a jump directly to the HC ranks in the NFL a risky one to say the least. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if a mutual interest exists between the parties once this in-person interview concludes.
Sean McDermott was fired following Buffalo’s latest postseason loss. Owner Terry Pegula‘s actions and remarks since then have made it clear general manager Brandon Beane won out in a power struggle of sorts with respect to disagreements over roster construction; Beane was promoted to president of football operations earlier this week. Quarterback Josh Allen will be present for Buffalo’s upcoming interviews, and he is in position to have a “significant say” in the team’s eventual hire. It will be interesting to see how Allen feels about the possibility of Rivers (who played 17 full NFL seasons, including 16 with the Chargers) stepping into a head coaching role immediately after hanging up his cleats.
Here is an updated look at where things stand for the Bills:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/22; prefers Buffalo gig
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): To interview 1/24
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/23
- Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback: To interview 1/23
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): To interview 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): To interview 1/24
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
Mike McDaniel Withdraws From Bills’ HC Search
Mike McDaniel was scheduled to interview for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy on Friday, but he decided to withdraw from consideration before the two sides met, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
McDaniel, 42, has interviewed for several head coach and offensive coordinator jobs in the last few weeks. In backing out of his interview with the Bills, he has narrowed his options down to the Chargers and the Raiders. The Chargers are planning to hire McDaniel as their next offensive coordinator, unless the Raiders do not offer their head coaching job to him. McDaniel has only met with Las Vegas’ top brass once, but the interview did take place in person.
Early in the hiring cycle, McDaniel reportedly preferred an offensive coordinator opportunity with a stronger team rather than a head coaching job with a weaker one. After the Bills fired Sean McDermott, Buffalo immediately became one of the top destinations for potential head coaches, making it somewhat of a surprise that McDaniel backed out of the running. Perhaps he believed that the job would ultimately go to another candidate and preferred to focus his attention on his remaining suitors.
The Raiders, however, do not seem like a particularly desirable destination unless McDaniel is committed to a major rebuild of a roster that lacks many long-term pieces. Working with projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza – along with the rest of the team’s significant draft capital and future cap space – could be enticing, but the Raiders have been stuck in the mud for years. If McDaniel is looking to make his next head coaching opportunity stick, he might continue to wait out the market until the right job comes along in the next few offseason.
In the meantime, the Chargers’ OC gig is a solid opportunity for McDaniel to work with Justin Herbert, who has played under a revolving door of suboptimal offensive architects and play-callers in his career. McDaniel could finally allow Herbert to thrive within the Chargers’ offense rather than in spite of it.

