Bills head coach Sean McDermott, along with OC Joe Brady and DC Bobby Babich met with the media Monday evening as the team prepares to host the Broncos on Wild Card Weekend.
Here's what we learned:
Injury updates heading into the playoffs
The Bills came out of Week 18 with only one new injury to report. McDermott shared that returner/corner Brandon Codrington has a hamstring injury.
"We're getting more information on that," McDermott said. "Other than that, I think we came out okay."
LB Terrel Bernard, who missed Week 18 with a quad injury, was able to practice late last week. He is trending in the right direction for the playoffs.
"The information that I got towards the end of the week from our medical staff was that he's trending in the right direction," McDermott shared on Bernard. "And no news at this point is good news, as far as I'm concerned."
While non-injury related, WR Amari Cooper did not travel with the team due to a personal family matter. McDermott said he's unsure of the exact timing on when the receiver will be back in the building but believes it will be this week.
"I would hope so. I'm taking it one day at a time," McDermott said.
Brady draws HC interest
With the offseason starting for 18 NFL teams, the hiring process is beginning this week for team's looking to hire a new coach for the 2025 season. Reports came out Monday afternoon that Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady received requests by the Saints and Jets for their open head coach spots.
McDermott confirmed that the Bills have received requests for Brady to interview, though he did not explicitly state which teams.
"He's a guy that's done a really good job here and deserves the attention that he's gotten," McDermott said. "With that comes some interview requests, and we have received some of those, and we'll see where it goes in the days and weeks ahead here."
Under the league rules, wild card team interviews won't be allowed until a few days after the game — win or lose. Coaches on teams playing Saturday or Sunday on Wild Card Weekend can interview virtually beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15.
In-person interviews for head coach candidates currently under contract with another team cannot take place until Monday, Jan. 20.
Brady confirmed to the local media Monday that he has been notified of the requests, but stated that his No. 1 priority is to bring a championship to Buffalo.
"My focus is strictly on trying to win a Super Bowl here," Brady said. "Trying to find a way to win this game this week. And now the reality of it is, some of the interviews, if interviews happen, would be next week. So really, nothing for me to even think about right now just focus on Denver."
McDermott added that he's supportive of Brady in the process.
"The philosophy is we're going to keep the Buffalo Bills, and the business of the Buffalo Bills at the top of our priority list. And then number two is always wanting the best for Joe," he said.
Damar Hamlin to remain starting safety
Safety Damar Hamlin returned to the lineup in Week 18 after missing the last three games with a rib injury. Buffalo's other starting safety Taylor Rapp, who missed two games and returned in Week 17, also played in Sunday's regular season finale.
It was the first time since the Week 14 game against the Rams that both Hamlin and Rapp shared the field together.
"It was good to have them back out on the field together, and the communication that is so important for those two," McDermott said. "There was certainly some really good plays, then a few that that kind of stood out, I think that they would want back."
Having the safety duo re-acclimate to full game speed after missing multiple games was important for Buffalo's defense going into the postseason.
"It helps tremendously," said defensive coordinator Bobby Babich
Rookie Cole Bishop slid into Hamlin's role during his absence and recorded 18 tackles between Weeks 15-17. While Bishop played well, McDermott confirmed that Hamlin will remain as one of the Bills starting safeties going into the playoffs, alongside Rapp.
"Damar is the starter. That's how we'll go into the game," McDermott said.
