Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady addressed the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, sharing his approach to his first offseason as head coach and updates on staff changes, player evaluations, and roster plans for 2026.
Brady described the process of assembling his coaching staff as intensive, saying, “I’m rarely on my phone. That was one of those times where there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t on my phone.” He highlighted key hires such as Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator, and Jeff Rodgers overseeing special teams. Brady also noted the addition of veteran coach John Fox as senior defensive assistant. “He’s been through it all, and someone that I can lean on in those moments,” Brady said.
Wide receivers coach Drew Terrell joined from the Arizona Cardinals. Brady said Terrell’s background made him stand out: “He’s a guy from Stanford, extremely bright. He’s been in the QB room. There’s something so valuable about a guy that coaches wide receivers, but that also can teach them from a quarterback’s perspective.” Brady added he was enthusiastic about hiring Terrell: “We have a vision for him and the way that he thinks, his mindset, his personality. I was so fired up to get him.”
On staff continuity, Joe Danna has been promoted to secondary coach while Jason Rebrovich becomes senior defensive assistant. According to Brady: “Joe Danna has done an incredible job in the back end… And then ‘Rebs’. It’s his second time in Buffalo… he chose to be here. That means a lot to me.”
Discussing draft prospects at the combine, Brady explained he values both skill and character during interviews with players: “We want the best football players that we can get… our systems might look different year to year… but it’s not going to be – offense or defense – ‘This is what we’re doing no matter what we have.'” He added: “You got 20 minutes and the reality of it is – and that’s not to diminish the importance of it – but you got to be mindful of what you’re trying to get out of these 20 minutes… I think it’s a better process to [just] talk football … let’s talk through some play. Let’s talk football.”
Brady emphasized observing both athletic ability and personality during workouts: “There’s some guys that are naturally quicker… And some guys are straight line speed…” He also said getting insight into how players interact is important: “Anytime that you can have contract with a player and get to know them, see them in settings, uncomfortable settings… I don’t know why you wouldn’t take advantage of that.” He concluded this point by stating: “I just want football players that love ball … trying to get opportunities [and] connect with them… You can test really well… But you are what you put on tape as well and I’m going to take that way more into consideration.”
Looking ahead at roster construction for 2026 under new leadership, Brady stated versatility will be prioritized—especially given Buffalo’s late-season weather conditions: “We have to have an offense and defense that can be built to be able to play in those crazy conditions, right? And we have to be able to run the ball, we have to be able to stop the run…” On shifting defensive schemes from a 4-3 alignment to 3-4 base packages he said flexibility remains essential: “…if we don’t have certain guys that fit those pieces… Everything’s on the table is what I mean here…”
He discussed specific players like Greg Rousseau adapting roles under new schemes but did not provide details yet due to ongoing evaluations. Regarding personnel needs for nose tackle positions in their system change he said: “We do have nose tackles on our roster that honestly fit the prototype that we have… We want flexibility with what we’re doing because then it makes a little tougher on them knowing exactly where our guys are going to be.”
On offense, wide receiver Khalil Shakir was singled out for his adaptability after leading Buffalo with 719 receiving yards last season. Brady commented: “Khalil can play inside and outside and there’s really not a lot of things Khalil can’t do…. he’s such a huge component to our offense…”
Brady is dedicating more time than before participating directly in defensive meetings alongside coordinator Jim Leonhard—something he had not done since coaching linebackers at William & Mary over ten years ago. He explained this involvement helps him grow as both head coach and offensive play-caller: “I’ve never sat in the defensive meetings as much as I am right now,” adding later “…it’s helping me as an offense play caller too…”
Finally, regarding free agency moves this offseason—and following comments by general manager Brandon Beane about other pending free agents—the team re-signed Alec Anderson on a one-year deal after joining Buffalo undrafted in 2022. Anderson provided depth across several positions last season including starting at right tackle against Pittsburgh when Spencer Brown was injured. Brady expressed support for Anderson’s return saying: “You want guys like Alec Anderson on your football team… so excited to get him back.” The Bills also brought back defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
