Joe Brady has guided the Buffalo Bills into a new phase after taking over as head coach in 2026, leading the team to a 3-1 start with one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses.
Buffalo scored 127 points through four games, averaging 31.8 points per game and converting 53.3 percent of third downs.
The team committed seven turnovers across two games after having none in its opening two contests, according to Sports Yahoo.
From William & Mary to the NFL
Brady's rise began during his playing days at William & Mary, where he became known for helping teammates despite limited opportunities on the field.
Tre McBride recalled Brady's approach during their time together.
"He really helped me a lot, making sure that I knew exactly what I had to do from an assignment and an alignment standpoint, every game," McBride said.
McBride also described Brady as a constant resource while developing into a standout receiver at William & Mary.
Brady's former coach Jimmye Laycock said the future coach showed leadership through preparation.
"Joe was mature beyond his years," Laycock said.
Laycock added that Brady's understanding of football extended beyond his own role as a player.
Brady later recognized coaching as a possible career path after focusing on helping others improve.
"Yeah, it was probably wrong, or different," Brady said.
Brady said his mindset was centered on developing teammates rather than competing only for playing time.
"All right, maybe I can form some of these guys," Brady said.
The Bills hired Brady as head coach after Sean McDermott's departure, following four seasons in Buffalo where Brady served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
His previous success included helping LSU win the national championship while working with quarterback Joe Burrow.
Former teammate McBride said Brady's rapid progress was expected by people who knew his football knowledge.
"The fact that he got to where he's at so quickly has surprised literally nobody on our team," McBride said.
"I guarantee nobody is surprised he wound up having massive success. And it's no surprise that he became a brilliant football mind," McBride said.
Kevin Rogers, who worked with Brady at William & Mary, said Brady's coaching ability was visible early in his career.
"It didn't take me long to see it either," Rogers said.
"He's a unique guy. I mean holy smokes, you talk about success in droves in your career.
It's amazing," Rogers said.
Brady has emphasized consistency after Buffalo's loss to New England, where he said the offense failed to maintain drives and execute opportunities.
He said the team must continue improving despite its record.
"We just didn't get in a rhythm today. We had a couple drives, had some three and outs, and that can't happen.
Starting with the first drive of the game, and the sudden change, three and out after we get the turnover.
We had opportunities to be able to sustain drives and some looks that we know are coming and we weren't executing.
We have to look and see why," Brady said.
Brady also explained that his evaluation goes beyond wins and losses as Buffalo works toward cleaner performances.
"The wins and losses are all the same to me. I don't mean that in a negative way.
When we win, I still have the same mindset of like we're putting a lot of stuff on tape that's going to cause us to lose, and we got to continue to play better, but the last three times we've left the stadium, I've left pissed off.
So, the wins and losses is never what it's about. It's about playing clean winning football and giving ourselves a chance to win," Brady said.
