The Buffalo Bills moved on from longtime head coach Sean McDermott this offseason after yet another crushing playoff loss in January.
The man who took his spot, former offensive coordinator Joe Brady, struggled to comprehend the move.
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“I was broken for a guy that I worked for,” Brady said on the “Shout!” podcast. 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.”
Head coach Joe Brady of the Buffalo Bills addresses the media during a mandatory minicamp at Kaleida Health Performance Center on June 9, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. Getty Images
McDermott compiled a 98-50 record in nine seasons in Buffalo, along with seven consecutive playoff appearances, but the Bills never made a Super Bowl under his tutelage. McDermott holds an 8-8 playoff record in eight postseason appearances.
Brady didn’t anticipate being the next man for the Bills head coaching job. In fact, Brady thought he might be out of a job too.
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“It also dawned on me that the only thing I won’t be is the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills,” he said. “I’m only in Buffalo because of Sean and the opportunities that he gave me.”
Brady took head coaching interviews with the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins before taking the reins in Buffalo. His staying in Buffalo gives a small sense of continuity for Josh Allen and the Bills, who have had Super Bowl aspirations for several seasons.
While he has great respect for his predecessor, Brady wants to be his own coach, separate from McDermott.
Sean McDermott (c.) and Joe Brady (l.) Diamond Images/Getty Images
“Sean did such a great job being Sean,” he said. “I don’t want to be coach McDermott – not in a negative way. I want to be Joe Brady.”
Brady will make his head coaching debut in Houston Sept. 13 against the Texans.
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