The Buffalo Bills moved quickly after Sean McDermott’s exit. Some might say they moved a bit too fast, especially one Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
As Buffalo hands the franchise to Joe Brady, not everyone around the league is convinced the move gets them closer to a Lombardi Trophy.
Brian Hoyer Questions Buffalo’s Direction With Joe Brady Hire
Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer didn’t mince words when discussing the Bills’ decision on Up & Adams. While acknowledging Josh Allen’s rare talent, Hoyer admitted he isn’t sold on promoting Joe Brady to head coach.
Brian Hoyer doesn’t love the Bills hiring Joe Brady as HC…
“To me, that signifies that we want to do everything to make Josh Allen happy” 👀@bhoyer7 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/miuW3ImTX0
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 28, 2026
“I’ve always been a big fan of Josh Allen,” Hoyer said. “But I’m not so sure about this Joe Brady hire. To me, that signifies they want to do everything to make Josh Allen happy.”
That statement really hit in the ongoing discussion. Buffalo decided to elevate Brady after letting go of Sean McDermott, handing the 36-year-old his first head coaching gig in the NFL with a five-year contract. Brady has been part of the Bills organization since 2022, working closely with Josh Allen first as quarterbacks coach and then as offensive coordinator.
Hoyer’s concern wasn’t about Brady’s play-calling. It was about optics and timing. He pointed out that owner Terry Pegula had publicly criticized the locker-room atmosphere following their playoff loss, only to hire someone who was already part of that same environment.
“I don’t doubt him in his ability to call plays,” Hoyer said. “But he was part of that system and culture.”
Hoyer even proposed an alternative approach. After watching the NFC Championship Game, he believed Buffalo should have paired Allen with Klint Kubiak, calling him a “next Sean McVay type” hire. He also suggested an aggressive reset: Brian Flores as head coach, with Brian Daboll running the offense.
That plan, in Hoyer’s view, would have been about fighting fire with fire as the Patriots rise again.
From Buffalo’s side, continuity won. ESPN reported that Brady’s vision and alignment with the personnel department resonated during interviews. Allen was present for interviews and offered input, though league insiders stressed he did not make the final call.
The logic is clear. Allen trusts Brady. The offense has been productive under him. And the Bills didn’t want to lose a rising coach to another team.
But the stakes are brutal. Buffalo is not rebuilding. They’re chasing a Super Bowl in a narrow window. Brady won’t have time to learn on the job.
