Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode Title: It's JOE BRADY's time in Buffalo: WHAT'S NEXT for the BILLS?
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana (A), Jenna Cottrell (C), Dan Fetes (B)

Overview

This episode dives into the Buffalo Bills' decision to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. The team discusses what this means for the franchise, expectations for Brady's introductory press conference, staff changes, and the implications for general manager Brandon Beane and the organization's future direction. The hosts also reflect on national vs. local perspectives, “alignment,” and share insights into the unique dynamics of NFL leadership transitions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Brady’s Promotion and the Press Conference

• Tone Shift with Internal Promotion
  Unlike previous “welcome to Buffalo” pressers, Brady’s already an insider, so the fanfare will be modest. The hosts expect the presser to set a “forward-thinking” tone and avoid viral, negative soundbites.
  • “It’s not going to be the welcome to Buffalo news conference. That does change the dynamic.” – Mike (01:24)
  • “I expect [the press conference] to be forward-moving… about what we’re doing moving forward. What I want to accomplish going forward.” – Dan (04:27)
• Comparisons to Previous Coaches' Pressers
  Reflecting on Sean McDermott’s and Rex Ryan’s introductions, the team discusses how first impressions aren’t always lasting but do set early tone.
  • "You can lose an introductory press conference and win the rest of it... Sirianni's was really weird... and two years later, he won the Super Bowl." – Mike (07:34)

2. Ownership, Decision-Making, and "Alignment"

• The Real Meaning of Change
  While expectations were for an external “new voice,” the reality is more about removing McDermott’s influence than bringing in outside ideas.
  • “They talk about the voice changing. We thought... it was the new voice coming in. What the Bills have done is create an atmosphere where it’s about the old voice going out.” – Mike (16:54)
• Bean, Brady, and Ownership Dynamics
  The hosts dissect how much say quarterback Josh Allen really had, the role of owner Terry Pegula, and whether Beane is now “all-in” with the direction he chose.
  • “You made this disruption and this could be the right move for the Bills, but you’re damn straight I would want to be like, ‘Alright, we gotta make this work.’” – Jenna (22:38)
• The NFL “Alignment” Buzzword
  Noting how every team pushes public narratives about “alignment,” Mike suggests this is as much about perception as reality.
  • “A lot of the national people… have connections with the teams and then narratives that get out there and that the team would like out there.” – Mike (18:50)
  • “What the team sees in Joe Brady is a person who will appreciate the alignment of the roster… with his coaching.” – Mike (19:05)

3. External & Internal Perceptions; Evaluating Offense

• National vs. Local Perspective
  The group reflects on how local, day-to-day reporters see “stagnant offense” differently than national voices who judge solely on stats.
  • “Sometimes I feel like the national media... looks at box scores, analytics, and doesn’t see how much we see.” – Dan (10:10)
• Evaluating Brady’s Candidacy
  • It's emphasized that the critique isn't about Brady's abilities – he’s a “good candidate” with a strong background. The controversy is more about the process than the man.
  • “Joe Brady as a candidate is a good candidate… Our issue… was more of the message they sent when they fired Sean McDermott, which led you to believe… it was going to be a sweeping change. And it wasn't.” – Mike (08:28)

4. The Power Dynamic: GM, Coach, Owner

• Bill Walsh Quote & NFL Dynamics
  Dan reads a Bill Walsh passage about the cyclical nature of NFL power struggles and how coaches bear the brunt of change, sparking a conversation on organizational structure (29:59).
  • “Every seven or eight years, a GM is sped out and the situation continues to exist… it’s tough on the coaches. That’s from Bill Walsh…” – Dan (30:03)
  • “Coaches are just so different, and if you think about it, people don’t usually go from coach to general manager… it’s in your blood to be a coach.” – Mike (31:34)
• Pegula’s Perspective
  Terry Pegula’s patience with internal friction ran out, prompting him to hand Beane full control and simplify the management structure.
  • “If I’m Terry Pegula… I have these two Alpha guys, Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, and after a while, they’re both in my office complaining about each other… after a while, I’m a billionaire. I get tired of that. Right?” – Mike (23:36)

5. Roster Moves, Coaching Staff, and Next Steps

• Joe Brady Will Call Plays
  • Confirmed: Brady will retain play-calling duties despite the “CEO” title.
  • “If he's in this job because he was doing that, that is his strength. He's got to evolve into the other stuff, which is big stuff.” – Mike (34:55)
• Departures and New Hires
  • Wide receiver coach Adam Henry leaves for the Steelers.
  • Bobby Babich, a well-liked defensive coach, leaves for the Packers.
  • Expectation that Brady will need an experienced “mentor type” on staff, though big names (like Coach O) are unlikely.
• Potential Defensive Coordinator Candidates
  • Names mentioned as possibilities: Jim Schwartz, Jim Leonhard.

6. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Continuity vs. Change
  “Continuity is great when it works… and then when it’s not, it’s, ‘Well, we gotta change up.’” – Dan (17:48)
• On Press Conference First Impressions
  “You don’t want to stub your toe… you actually just don’t have a viral clip.” – Dan (06:24)
• On Ownership Frustrations
  “After a while, I’m a billionaire. I get tired of that. Right? You two work it out... it's now aligned. Brandon, you got it. You come talk to me.” – Mike (23:36)
• On Building the Roster Going Forward
  “Wide receiver, having someone that is a legitimate threat, that can help take some stress off Josh Allen… you got to draft the right guy, you got to sign the right players.” – Jenna (22:38)
• On Play-calling Head Coaches
  “Andy Reid does it. Sean McVay does it. Shanahan does it… Not every coach like Harbaugh is going to the Giants. He doesn’t call plays on either side of the ball.” – Mike (35:47)

Important Timestamps

• 01:24 – How the tone of Brady's presser will differ as an internal hire
• 04:27 – Anticipation of forward-looking messaging at the press conference
• 07:34 – Discussing the “introductory press conference” trope; Dan Campbell & Nick Sirianni examples
• 16:54 – The “voice change” context: it’s about McDermott leaving, not a new outsider
• 18:50 – The use of “alignment” in national reports and teams controlling narratives
• 22:38 – Jenna on Beane's accountability and pushing all chips in
• 29:59 – Bill Walsh power dynamic quote; discussion on club structure
• 34:53 – Confirmation Joe Brady will call his own plays
• 39:33 – Bobby Babich’s legacy and impact on the Bills’ defense
• 43:24 – Early speculation on potential new defensive coordinator candidates

Staff Changes Confirmed

• Joe Brady: Head Coach & play-caller
• Departures:
  • Adam Henry (Wide Receivers Coach): Steelers
  • Bobby Babich (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator): Packers
• Open/Changing Roles:
  • Offensive Coordinator
  • Defensive Coordinator
  • Special Teams Coordinator
  • Wide Receivers Coach
  • Offensive Line Coach
• Potential Additions:
  • “Mentor type” assistants, possibly from Brady’s connections (no specific names yet)

Final Takeaways

• The Brady promotion is less about bold new directions and more about shifting old dynamics.
• The term “alignment” is both a genuine strategy and PR spin, echoed nationally.
• Beane now has more on the line than ever: ownership expects results with no more interpersonal GM-coach friction.
• Significant staff turnover is expected on both sides of the ball, plus key coordinator hires are pending.
• The Bills’ brass is targeting continuity that fits their current roster rather than a radical overhaul—but the pressure to deliver is now as high as ever.

Next up: The team will cover the Thursday press conference introducing Joe Brady as head coach and continue tracking coaching staff developments and offseason roster moves across Buffalo Plus and its platforms.