Pete Carmichael, the Buffalo Bills’ new offensive coordinator, brings over three decades of coaching experience to his latest role, including 26 years in the NFL. Carmichael’s extensive background includes working alongside coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees during a long tenure with the New Orleans Saints.
Carmichael addressed the media for the first time since joining Buffalo and expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with head coach Joe Brady. The two previously worked together in New Orleans from 2017 to 2018. “I’m excited to be here,” Carmichael said. “I’ve waited about seven years to have an opportunity to get back with coaching with Joe Brady.”
He highlighted Brady’s passion for football and his communication skills: “I just love his passion,” Carmichael said. “He loves the game, he loves to be around it. His ability to communicate to the players, there’s just so much about it and early on when we started working together, you could tell right away that there’s something special about this guy.”
Carmichael recalled recognizing Brady’s potential early in their collaboration: “We kind of knew right away, he needs to be in the quarterback room,” Carmichael explained. He described how Brady’s insights quickly earned him respect among staff and players.
Their partnership was further cemented when Ed Orgeron invited Carmichael and Brady to present at LSU during an offseason. According to Carmichael: “I did my little bit with the offensive staff…and then all of a sudden it was Joe’s turn to talk…And I’m telling you, I started taking notes, just listening to him talk. You knew early on that this guy was going to be pretty good.” After that presentation, Brady joined LSU as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2019, contributing significantly as LSU won a national championship that year.
Brady confirmed he will call plays for Buffalo but emphasized that Carmichael’s role is substantial: “Pete game plans to call the game,” said Brady. He added: “If I ever in any moment of the game can’t call the game, Pete is always prepared to call it.” This mirrors some of their experiences under Sean Payton in New Orleans.
Carmichael outlined his approach: “Making sure that the staff is all on the same page when Joe is not going to be able to be there…just when it comes to even just creating the game plan and coming up with some ideas that the head coach is going to like.” Brady described him as highly organized and a strong communicator: “He’s as bright as they come…And he’s a great communicator.”
The new OC also discussed working with key players like quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook III. Recently serving as Denver’s senior offensive assistant from 2024-25, Carmichael contributed toward developing Bo Nix as Denver reached an AFC Championship after a strong regular season.
Reflecting on Allen’s capabilities, Carmichael said: “The fact of the matter is not all plays called are great ones, but all sudden he can make a great play out of a play that is defended pretty well.” Allen expressed optimism about learning from someone who spent so many years guiding Brees.
Brady believes their backgrounds will mesh well: “I think Pete is an incredible communicator that has been around a lot of great and seen a lot of great QB play,” he noted.
During his tenure as Brees’ offensive coordinator (2009-20), New Orleans led several league categories offensively—Brees posted top marks for touchdowns (423), passing yards per game (300.6), and completion percentage (69.7 percent).
Carmichael emphasized building relationships with players such as Allen by focusing both on football matters and personal rapport: “Just sit down and really form a relationship with him…it’s got to fit our personnel.”
On James Cook III—who led NFL rushers last season—Carmichael cited prior experience coaching Alvin Kamara in New Orleans: “You just give them a little coaching point…Just anything that he might be able to use.” For increasing Cook’s involvement in passing situations, he stressed ensuring those opportunities are part of each week’s preparation.
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