The Buffalo Bills have moved swiftly to find a successor for head coach Sean McDermott, actively seeking out a range of candidates even before general manager Brandon Beane and owner Terry Pegula held their press conference on Wednesday. Some interviews are set to take place in Orchard Park, while others will occur in Florida.
Notably, candidates from teams still in the playoffs are absent from the list, as interviews are not allowed to proceed with those individuals until their respective seasons have concluded.
As the search unfolds, updates will continue to roll in regarding potential candidates.
One of the names on the list is Anthony Lynn, the running backs coach for the Washington Commanders. Lynn has a history with the Bills, having served as their offensive coordinator under Rex Ryan and as interim head coach after Ryan’s departure. With coaching experience dating back to 2000 and a notable tenure as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-2020), where he led the team to one playoff appearance, Lynn is a seasoned candidate.
Another potential hire is Brian Daboll, who previously held the offensive coordinator position with the Bills and is a Western New York native. He was the head coach of the New York Giants from 2022 through midway into the 2025 season. His offensive strategies were mixed during his time with the Giants, but he played a pivotal role in the development of quarterback Josh Allen during his early years.
Lou Anarumo, currently the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, is also in the running, with his interview scheduled for January 21. Anarumo has garnered interest from multiple teams following his time as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rising star Grant Udinski, the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has also caught the Bills’ attention. At just 30 years old, Udinski has made a name for himself in his single season as a coordinator, having previously worked under the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell.
Joe Brady, the current offensive coordinator for the Bills, is another candidate in the mix. Despite leading the team to a top-10 offensive ranking, there are mixed feelings among fans regarding his play-calling, yet he is slated to interview for the head coach position.
Lastly, the Bills have expressed interest in Anthony Weaver, the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, who has prior connections to the Bills as a defensive line coach in 2013. Weaver has been leading the Dolphins’ defense since 2024, with previous experience as the Texans’ defensive coordinator.
As the Bills navigate this critical transition, the future of the team’s coaching staff remains a topic of great interest for fans and analysts alike. The array of candidates—from seasoned coaches to up-and-coming talents—suggests a promising direction as the organization looks to reshape its leadership.