Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has revealed the extent of his involvement in the team’s recent head coaching search, describing the process as an eye-opening experience that gave him a rare glimpse into the front office side of the NFL. In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Allen said he sat in on interviews with coaching candidates and offered input from a player’s perspective, though he emphasized the final decision was not his to make.
“It was different,” Allen said. “There was no time to think about what happened before it was really on to the next … and me trying to help out as much as I can. It wasn’t my decision, it’s not my decision to hire the coach, but to be in those interviews and maybe present some ideas or present some questions that people hadn’t thought of from a player’s point of view, it was really cool to see that side too.”
The Bills’ search began after team owner Terry Pegula decided to part ways with Sean McDermott, who had led the franchise for nine seasons. Pegula cited a belief that the Bills had hit a “playoff wall,” a sentiment that gained weight after Buffalo’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs this past January. The defeat marked the third time in four seasons the Bills were eliminated in that round, leaving the team’s long-elusive first Super Bowl title still out of reach.
Allen expressed gratitude to Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane for including him in the process. “I appreciate Mr. Pegula and Brandon Beane for having me in those meetings and at least listening to what I had to say,” he said.
After working through several candidates, the Bills ultimately chose familiarity, promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. The move drew some criticism from observers who pointed to Brady’s place on a staff tied to multiple frustrating playoff exits. Brady had previously served as quarterbacks coach, interim offensive coordinator, and eventually full-time offensive coordinator for Buffalo.
For Allen, Brady’s promotion does not signal a dramatic shift. The quarterback said their existing relationship has made the transition feel natural, even as Brady settles into a larger role that now includes overseeing the entire team rather than just the offense.
“It’s pretty much the same, it’s very authentic,” Allen said. “Joe comes off as the most real guy you’ll ever meet. However, he is cheering for the defense now, which is a new side that we didn’t get to see as the 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.”
Allen noted that Brady has fully embraced his new responsibilities. “It is cool though to see him buy into it, really take control of what that defense is doing. And he understands everything that they’re doing. He brought in such a good staff. We’re very excited for the season,” he said.
Beane said the Bills were not locked into hiring an offensive-minded coach, though the bulk of candidates’ backgrounds centered around offense. Brady was the first reported candidate to land an interview. For the Bills’ decision-makers, Brady’s appeal went beyond his offensive background. As the search took shape, what appeared to resonate most was how closely he matched the “CEO” vision Beane and Pegula had outlined.
“It’s a CEO job. It really is,” Beane told reporters in January. “A lot of your time as a head coach or a GM gets taken away from me scouting, watching players or a coach in their scheming X’s and O’s, so we’ve got to make sure we get the leadership, the CEO part.”
Allen has not been the only Bills offensive player to direct noticeable praise toward Brady since he stepped in as interim coordinator during the 2023 season. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir was among the group who shared messages of support shortly after Brady’s promotion to head coach was announced.
“Joe’s dope, man. Obviously, my career kind of took off a bit once Joe took over, so I got a lot of love for him and the trust that he’s had in me … Just super appreciative of everything he does,” Shakir said.
Tight end Dawson Knox echoed that support around the same time, saying, “I’m so thankful for Brady, and this whole team, this offense has so much respect for him as a coordinator and as a man.”
Allen followed up his 2024 NFL MVP campaign by leading the Bills to a wild-card round victory in January, scoring the decisive rushing touchdown in a thriller against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the 2025 regular season with 25 touchdown passes.
Off the field, Allen and his wife, actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, welcomed their first child together in April. “Our baby girl has arrived!!” Steinfeld wrote in a Substack post titled “Special Delivery” at the time. “We’re feeling incredibly grateful and blessed and savoring these early moments. Thank you so much for the love and well wishes.”
