Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode Title: The Bills CLOSE in on NEW HEAD COACH: Daboll, Udinski, Webb and JOSH ALLEN's INPUT
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing Buffalo Bills head coaching search following the departure of Sean McDermott. The Buffalo Plus team analyzes the top candidates—Brian Daboll, Grant Udinski, Davis Webb, Joe Brady—and discusses the implications of Josh Allen’s reported involvement in the process. The hosts blend insider information with candid discussion, offering both industry insight and personal perspectives on the franchise’s pivotal decision.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Where the Search Stands: Timeline & Candidates

• Urgency for Decision: The panel agrees a new coach will be in place imminently, likely by Wednesday, with press conferences following quickly after.
  • Quote: "I would think that we would have all these head coaching jobs filled this week, probably sooner rather than later." – Dan [00:12]
• Top Candidates: The focus is on Brian Daboll (Giants), Grant Udinski (Jaguars), Davis Webb (Broncos), and to a lesser degree, internal candidate Joe Brady.
• Agent Dynamics: The hosts emphasize the significant role of agents in the process and note how the Bills have kept internal discussions very private.
  • Quote: "Agents, agents, agents and more agents is all I'll say." – Dan [04:59]
• Notable Withdrawals: Grant Udinski withdrew from the Browns’ search, and Philip Rivers withdrew from the Bills’ consideration.

2. What Each Candidate Brings

• Brian Daboll:
  • Prior success as OC in Buffalo and experience as Giants head coach.
  • Regarded as a stabilizing force and a “dream hire” by Dan and others.
  • Quote: "My dream hire is Dable, hand up. That is partly biased because I respect Brian Dable more than certain members of my family." – Dan [11:45]
  • Pros: Known commodity, proven leader, close Josh Allen relationship.
  • Cons: Bears “retread” label; there are scars from prior jobs.
• Grant Udinski:
  • Young, has not called plays outside of red zone but seen as an "up-and-coming hot shot."
  • Would be youngest head coach, less than 35 years old.
  • Represents a massive swing—high upside, high risk.
  • Quote: "If Grant Udinski is hired, he would be the youngest NFL head coach." – Mike [06:38]
• Davis Webb:
  • Age and inexperience (recent player, hasn’t called plays).
  • Close with Josh Allen, described as a potential future star.
  • Possible flight risk—could be poached as head coach by another team if he excels as OC.
  • Quote: "If you think you have the guy, do you take him a year early as opposed to maybe losing him after one season?" – Jenna [13:17]
• Joe Brady:
  • Internal candidate, but doesn’t seem to have traction for head coach.
  • Quote: "You could have elevated Joe Brady, that never seemed to be in the mix... I just don't know if in the building he was thought of as a head coach." – Mike [35:52]

3. CEO Head Coach vs. Play Caller — What Does Buffalo Want?

• Bills GM Brandon Beane described the need for a “CEO” type head coach; the hosts weigh whether an offensive play-caller can realistically balance both roles, especially if inexperienced.
  • Quote: “It’s always a CEO job… There is so much to this job that has nothing to do with calling plays.” – Mike [09:16]
• Recognized risk of giving a rookie head coach both the CEO mantle and play-calling duties.
• Past examples: Nick Sirianni, Dan Campbell, John Harbaugh transitioned to CEO roles after starting as play-callers.

4. Josh Allen’s Involvement in the Process

• Josh Allen is reportedly “very involved,” participating in interviews and giving input.
  • Quote: "Josh is...reportedly very involved. He's in on the meetings, he's part of Bills brass that is going around and interviewing these coaches." – Dan [14:44]
• Jenna notes this surprises her: Allen is "cornerstone" but his deep involvement suggests either franchise trust or concern about front office decisions.
  • Quote: "This is also a level of control that I think is more than I would expect Josh Allen to have…To me that is something worth noting." – Jenna [24:53]
• The panel discusses pros and cons: Players’ voice is important, but true honesty from candidates may be stifled with Allen present during some interview segments.

5. Risk, Reputation, and “Retreads”

• Tension between hiring a proven coach (with “scars”) and chasing upside in a young, unproven candidate.
  • Discussion around NFL trend: Hiring “retreads” can pay off (e.g., Andy Reid, Mike McCarthy), but there’s growing excitement for next-gen offensive minds.
  • Quote: "Sometimes it's hey, I'm going to do better my second time around." – Dan [17:27]
• If the Bills go with an unfamiliar face like Udinski, it signals a bold willingness to innovate.

6. The Franchise Moment & the Josh Allen Window

• This isn’t a rebuilding situation: The new coach inherits a 12-win team, a prime-peak Josh Allen, and must deliver quickly.
  • Quote: "You want to continue...You don't have a runway to have two or three years to kind of get this thing right." – Dan [12:10]
• The Bills’ search is among the most attractive in the NFL, but roster/financial issues temper the enthusiasm of outside candidates.

7. Odds, Predictions & Memorable Moments

• Dan reports on betting odds: Daboll and Webb considered current favorites, with Udinski a longer shot.
  • Quote: “Brian Dable’s +150. Davis Webb is +160. Kubiak is +350. Udinski is +700.” – Dan [37:44]
• The hosts each make final predictions:
  • Mike: “I’m with you on Webb. I think they’re taking a massive swing.” [52:21]
  • Dan: Shoots for Daboll as his “dream,” but hedges toward Udinski.
  • Jenna: Favors Webb but acknowledges all three (Daboll, Udinski, Webb) are realistic.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Pressure of the Hire:
  "Sean established a floor and nobody was happy with the ceiling, but you gotta get to that floor, and it’s going to take a lot for the next guy." – Mike [31:58]
• On Youth and Innovation:
  "There is something kind of exciting to go with a candidate who has no scars...He is hope. He is excitement. He is wonder." – Mike/Dan [28:31]
• On Coach-Quarterback Relationships:
  “It’s different when we're best friends. If you were my boss, it would be different. Like, it's just different.” – Jenna [34:25]
• Comic Relief:
  “Did he wow? If he didn’t wow, then he’s not going to blow them away.” – Mike [53:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Head Coach Search Overview & Timeline: [00:00] – [05:40]
• Candidate Deep Dive (Daboll, Udinski, Webb): [06:09] – [17:27]
• Role of Head Coach: CEO vs. Play-caller: [08:42] – [11:31]
• Josh Allen’s Input and Dynamics: [14:44] – [25:35]
• NFL Trends, Risks, and Retreads: [16:49] – [22:19]
• Odds and Host Predictions: [37:44] – [53:30]
• Listener Interactions and Closing banter: [50:33] – [54:37]

Final Thoughts

The hosts characterize the Bills’ coaching search as a choice between continuity and bold, future-facing risk. While the “dream” of a Brian Daboll reunion seems strong, the logic behind a daring play for either Grant Udinski or Davis Webb is apparent, especially given the unique scenario of having a franchise QB in his prime.

Most hosts believe the Bills will "take a big swing"—Webb or Udinski—thereby cementing their faith in the next generation of offensive minds and Josh Allen’s influence on the organization.

Host Picks:

• Mike: Webb
• Jenna: Webb
• Dan: Hopes for Daboll, thinks Udinski

The episode is a must-listen (or read!) for Bills fans craving context, candor, and locker room-level insight into one of the NFL’s most enticing coaching carousels.