'A lot of juice to him' | Interim OC Joe Brady concentrated on winning while bringing energy to the Bills' offense

Nov 16, 2023 at 05:37 PM

Alec White

Content Coordinator

Buffalo Bills Week 11 Practice, Regular Season, November 16, 2023 at 1 Bills Drive.

In his first press conference as interim offensive coordinator, Joe Brady had a clear message about his feelings on the state of the Bills offense and their quarterback.

"Give me Josh Allen, all day, every day," he said.

The 34-year-old coach took over the Bills' play-calling duties this week in wake of the team parting ways with Ken Dorsey. Brady acknowledged that Dorsey had an overwhelming positive impact on him as a coach during their time together, but said he's ready for the opportunity of an increased role in the organization.

"I'm excited about what we have moving forward and the energy that our guys have, and the confidence," Brady said.

On a short week, the timeline of preparation from one game to the next is already accelerated. For Brady, it was both accelerated and included new responsibilities. Brady learned Tuesday morning of his new role and got straight to work. 24 hours later, he was leading the offensive portion of Buffalo's walkthrough practice.

"Haven't had a lot of time to really process it all," he said Thursday. "Just worrying about practice right now. It's been a short week, but you know, I'm excited for the opportunity. We've got a lot of games left, right? Just finding a way to get this one."

Added Allen a day earlier: "(Joe) is an extremely hard worker, he's always in the building— first one in, last one out — I doubt he got any sleep last night."

Brady's worked as Buffalo's quarterbacks coach since the start of the 2022 season and has developed a strong connection with Allen in the time they've been around each other. The two are constantly communicating with each other during practice and when Brady is on the sideline during games.

"He's got a lot of juice to him," Allen said. "He's a former ballplayer himself and I think that he can relate with a lot of the guys, obviously he's a fairly younger guy. But again, guy that's been around the league. He's been an offensive coordinator in the league, he's been a national championship caller at the college level. There's a lot of faith in him."

It's been a turbulent ride at times for the Buffalo Bills through the first 10 weeks of the season. At 5-5, the Bills know they haven't played their best football and their star quarterback admitted he hasn't lived up to his own standard.

Still, Brady senses a QB that possesses the talent, confidence and hunger to be part of a turnaround.

"When I look in his eyes before every game, there's not a worry in my mind. And I guarantee you that's the same mindset of everybody in this locker room," Brady said. "I believe Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL and it excites me that I get an opportunity to call plays with him."

Brady's last stop prior to Buffalo was in Carolina as their offensive coordinator for a season and a half (2020-21). In the two years since, the Bills' new interim OC has had time for some introspection on what it'll take to make sure his second stint as a play-caller leads to more long term success.

"I made sure I looked back and said, 'hey, what could I have done differently'? What would I do differently if ever given the opportunity again?," Brady shared. "There's things that I think are naturally just in my mind. I believe in relationships with your players and I believe if we're all on the same page with communication, everything's going to take care of itself."

During the week, players have taken accountability for the uncharacteristic level of play during their recent 2-4 stretch, saying it's never on one person or coach, it's a collective effort.

"There's just some accountability we all have to take on why we are where we are," WR Gabe Davis said. "But we all have our own hands in it."

Davis in particular admitted his drop on Monday hurt the team's chances at winning and that it's not the offensive scheme or play-calling that is preventing the team from reaching their potential.

"I'm not saying there is one big reason, but saying that we all have to figure out how we can all do better," he said.

Through practice, meetings and walkthroughs this week, the Bills are focused on finding those answers — starting with the tweaks they feel are necessary on the offensive side before facing the Jets.

"Without getting – can't really get into specifics with it, but every game is gonna be different," Brady said. "And I think it's important to find a way, there's a way to win every game, and it's about us trying to find that. So, whatever that spin might be, you know, every game might look, like I just said, it's gonna look different."

Stefon Diggs agreed that things aren't staying the same as they have been.

"Things done a little bit differently, but not too much differently. Same schematically. Can't talk too much about it, you know what I'm saying? But we're all excited," he said. "We look forward to the game a hundred percent and can't wait to get out there."