Bears HC candidate profile: Should Joe Brady want to leave Buffalo?

The long and continuously expanding list of candidates for the Chicago Bears' head coaching vacancy has plenty of intrigue attached to it. Whether it be the hot commodity coordinator, a seasoned veteran coach, or names from the college football coaching world, the Bears have a long and wide list of different coaches interviewing for their vacant head coaching job, and that includes Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.

Brady, in his first full season as offensive coordinator after taking over halfway throughout the season last year, has had quite the success in Buffalo. Led by dual-threat quarterback Josh Allen, who will be in a tight MVP race with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Bills offense ranked in the Top 10 in total offense, while ranking ninth in both total rushing offense and total passing. All of this happening after there were questions coming into the season about Buffalo's offensive weapons, especially after they traded star wide receiver Stefon Diggs before the 2024 season began.

Using the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on wide receiver Keon Coleman, and also making a trade for veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper, the Bills did what they had to do to surround their star quarterback with talent around him. Not only did Brady find ways to make the most out of the limited talent that Buffalo had at their skill positions, he also was uniquely creative in the way he used Allen, and the offensive line schemed to protect him extremely well all year.

Here's an in-depth look at Brady, one of many candidates being considered by the Bears, and one of the hottest rising coordinators in the NFL.

Background

• Current job: Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills (2023-present)

• Age: 35

• Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida

• College: William & Mary, Penn State

Experience

• Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills (2023-present)

• Quarterbacks coach, Buffalo Bills (2022-2023)

• Offensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers (2020-2021)

• Passing game coordinator & wide receivers coach, LSU (2019)

• Offensive assistant, New Orleans Saints (2017-2018)

• Graduate assistant, Penn State University (2015-2016)

• Linebackers coach, William & Mary (2013-2014)

Fit with Bears

For as many people who are slamming the table for Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, there should be just as many slamming other tables for Brady. Not only because slamming their bodies through tables is a gesture of fanhood by Bills fans, but because Brady knows how to run an offense. Having a unique and special talent in Allen is going to help anyone, but the way Brady got the most out of his skill set positions, as well as his offensive line, was special and unique.

On the year, Buffalo's offensive line allowed only 14 sacks of Allen. To put that in perspective, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times, although there was blame on not just his offensive line, but his mechanics as well. The difference in 54 less sacks allowed from Chicago to Buffalo is eye-opening, and that is why he'd be a great fit. With the draft capital and salary cap space that the Bears will have this offseason, Brady would have his plan in place to address upgrading a brutal offensive line unit, and in doing so, could work wonders in Chicago.

There's no telling why Johnson is so much more coveted than Brady, potentially because Johnson is in the same division as the Bears, but Brady is no slouch. Allen and Buffalo had less quality weapons this season and the quarterback still played some of the best football of his career, finding him right in the mix for the MVP award at the end of the season. He would not only get the most out of Williams in Chicago, but Brady would have an opportunity to also turn around the offensive line and getting both those positions on the right path would mean instant success for the Bears.

They said it....

"Nothing. He hasn’t done anything for us. Teams should stay away from him.”

--Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen when asked about what offensive coordinator Joe Brady has brought to the Bills offense, as other teams are interested in interviewing him for their head coaching position. (Via NewYorkUpstate.com)

Bottom line

There doesn't seem to be a real reason why Brady feels so far behind Johnson in the coaching carousel, but he should be just as highly sought after. If the Bears miss out on their reported top two targets in Johnson and Mike Vrabel, who signed with the Patriots this past weekend, then Brady would not be a bad "consolation prize," which feels like an insult to his talent level as a coach.

At just 35 years old, Brady would most certainly be one of the youngest coaches in the league, but he's got the resume in a short period while leading Buffalo. That may be the only knock against him, as Brady has only seen success in Buffalo for just over a year, after taking over in the middle of the season last year. It would be a major leap for Brady, but he's got the experience in his pocket and the results have been there. But would working under the Bears organization be the right opportunity for him?

The answer may come to light with how the Bills' postseason plays out. Getting a win over the Denver Broncos in the wild-card round and advancing to play the Ravens in the AFC divisional round, Brady will have quite the challenge in taking on a tough and play-making defense. If Brady leads Buffalo to the Super Bowl, and even a championship, the interest would more than likely greatly increase. Life is good for him with a perennial MVP candidate and one of the best teams in the NFL, so why would Brady want to leave Buffalo at this time? That's the question that needs to be answered.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC candidate profile: Should Joe Brady want to leave Buffalo?