No one knows yet who will be the next Buffalo Bills head coach, because the team has only just fired Sean McDermott and has not announced a replacement.

What just happened

  • The Bills relieved Sean McDermott of his duties as head coach on January 19, 2026, after nine seasons and multiple playoff appearances.
  • The move reflects ownership’s belief that the roster with Josh Allen is good enough to win a Super Bowl and needs a new leader to get over the hump.

Top realistic candidates being discussed

Analysts and forum fans are not predicting one guaranteed hire, but several names come up over and over as leading options.

  • Joe Brady (Bills offensive coordinator)
    • Already runs the offense and has interviewed for multiple head‑coach jobs, showing strong league interest.
* Keeping him would preserve continuity with Josh Allen and is often framed as the most straightforward, “in‑house” solution.
  • Brian Daboll (former Giants head coach, ex‑Bills OC)
    • Has a deep history with Allen from Buffalo’s earlier rise and is credited with helping develop him into an MVP‑level quarterback.
* Recently fired by the Giants, which makes a Buffalo reunion a popular speculative storyline among media and fans.
  • Klint Kubiak (Seahawks offensive coordinator)
    • Gained buzz from his work in San Francisco’s passing game and then running Seattle’s offense, leading to talk that he’s ready for a head‑coach shot.
* Seen as a modern offensive mind who could further unlock Allen’s prime years.
  • Kliff Kingsbury (former Commanders OC, ex‑Cardinals HC)
    • Offers prior NFL head‑coaching experience plus a QB‑friendly offensive background, making him an intriguing but more polarizing option.
  • Defensive names (for continuity on that side of the ball)
    • Coordinators such as Jesse Minter are floated as ways to keep a strong defensive identity while hiring a modern offensive staff underneath.

Big names unlikely or ruled out

  • Mike Tomlin has specifically been reported as not planning to coach in 2026 and is expected to take the year off, making him an extremely unlikely choice for Buffalo this cycle.

Fan and forum buzz

Public forums and Bills communities are treating this as one of the league’s hottest openings because of Allen and a still‑strong roster.

  • Many fans argue for Joe Brady as the “keep Allen happy and keep the offense rolling” pick.
  • Others push for a Daboll reunion to recapture the offensive magic from earlier in Allen’s career.
  • There is also skepticism about ownership’s decision‑making, with some fans doubting Terry Pegula will choose the boldest possible option.

So, who will it be?

  • As of now, there is no official hire , only lists of candidates and ongoing speculation.
  • If forced to frame it in odds‑style chatter (not a prediction), the most commonly mentioned “short‑list” in news and forums is:
    1. Joe Brady
    2. Brian Daboll
    3. Klint Kubiak
    4. A surprise external offensive coordinator rising fast in interviews

Any specific “X will definitely be the next Bills coach” claim right now is just a guess, not confirmed news.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.