Buffalo Bills QB Coach Candidates (2024)

With Joe Brady recently being promoted to full-time OC, the Buffalo Bills are going to be in the market for a new QB Coach. After Joe was promoted to interim OC during the season, the Bills had offensive assistant Mike Shula take some of the responsibilities, and he did a very nice job with it. But, will Buffalo go in a different direction than Shula? If so, who will it be? There are plenty of good candidates available, whether they’re from teams going through coaching changes, or assistants that are due for a promotion. Let’s take a look at some candidates for the job.

Davis Webb (Broncos QB Coach)

Webb, Josh Allen’s former backup, retired and went directly into coaching in 2023, becoming Denver’s QB Coach under Sean Payton. The Athletic reported prior to his departure from Buffalo that the Bills asked Webb, then the team’s third-string QB, if he wanted the job after Ken Dorsey’s promotion. Obviously Webb signed with the New York Giants and Buffalo hired Joe Brady. But, it could be a full-circle moment if the Bills ask Webb once again to work with Josh Allen. Being Allen’s position coach seems like a fast track to becoming an OC, with Joe Brady and Ken Dorsey having done so very quickly. So, if the Bills want to hire another one of Allen’s buddies, they could use that to help Webb make his decision. (Editor’s Note: Webb is still under contract with Denver and can be blocked from interviewing for a lateral move.)

Brian Johnson (Former Eagles OC)

Before spending the 2023 season as Offensive Coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson was their QB Coach for two years. Johnson was pivotal in Jalen Hurts’ development in 2022 and a big reason for him being the elite QB he is today. Before joining the Eagles, Johnson was the QB Coach and OC at the University of Florida, where Kyle Trask threw for 4,283 yards, 43 TDs, and eight INTs in 2020. Johnson is a great QB Coach. Unfortunately for him, his first gig as an NFL OC came a bit too early. Fortunately for him though, he’s already receiving interest around the league. He should be coaching again very soon, if not as a play caller, then as a QB Coach based off his track record alone.

Thad Lewis (Buccaneers QB Coach)

Yes, former Bills QB Thad Lewis is the same one that interviewed here for our OC position. Thad did a tremendous job this season with Baker Mayfield, helping him revitalize his career and become a franchise QB again. Thad is considered one of the best bright young minds in the league, and will be a coordinator very soon. He could take another year as a QB coach, this time with the best QB in the league, and take a coordinator job in 2025. (Editor’s Note: Like Webb, Lewis is also currently under contract with Tampa and could be blocked from making a lateral move. However, he could get an OC gig this year with either Tampa or Carolina.)

JT Barrett (Lions Assistant QB Coach)

Barrett, the former Ohio State QB, took a coaching job with the Detroit Lions in 2022 as an offensive assistant, before being promoted in 2023. Barrett has helped Jared Goff become one of the best QBs again in Detroit. And, under QB Coach Mark Brunell, Barrett has learned a lot before a likely promotion elsewhere.

Shea Tierney (Giants QB Coach)

Tierney, the former Bills Assistant QB Coach, was poached by Brian Daboll when he left for New Jersey. Now, with a struggling Giants team, Tierney could look to come back to Buffalo, where he succeeded for two seasons. Tierney helped Josh Allen in his breakout 2020 campaign. As Allen loves to have some familiarity around him with coaches and players, the Bills could bring Tierney back. Buffalo will get a good look at Tierney this week, as he’s coaching at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Tierney will serve as an OC and, if he does well, could get looks around the league this year, and next. (Editor’s Note: Again, Tierney can’t make a lateral move unless the Giants let him.)

Other Candidates

1. Former Philadelphia Eagles QB Coach Alex Tanney
2. LA Chargers QB Coach Doug Nussmeier
3. Seattle Seahawks QB Coach Greg Olson
4. Former Carolina Panthers QB Coach Josh McCown
5. Buffalo Bills Senior Offensive Assistant Mike Shula

Featured Image Credit: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images