Bills hire Pete Carmichael Jr. as offensive coordinator in Joe Brady’s first major move

The Buffalo Bills have made their first major coaching addition under new head coach Joe Brady, hiring veteran assistant Pete Carmichael Jr. as offensive coordinator.The move was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and comes just days after Brady was officially introduced as Buffalo’s head coach. Carmichael brings decades of NFL experience and a deep connection to the Sean Payton coaching tree, something that aligns closely with Brady’s own background.Carmichael is best known for his long stint with the New Orleans Saints, where he spent 18 seasons on staff, including 15 as offensive coordinator. He played a key role during the franchise’s most successful era, helping guide the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season.Brady and Carmichael previously worked together in New Orleans from 2017 to 2018, when Brady was an offensive assistant. That shared history is expected to ease the transition as the Bills look to reshape their offense heading into the 2026 season.Most recently, Carmichael served as senior offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos under Sean Payton. His title in Denver was created to bring another trusted voice into the offensive room. Now, he steps into a more prominent role in Buffalo.Despite the hire, Brady is expected to retain play-calling duties. Carmichael will focus on game planning, offensive structure, and weekly preparation, providing experience and stability alongside the first-time head coach. The Bills’ offense remains centered around quarterback Josh Allen, who is recovering from a foot procedure this offseason. With Brady continuing as the primary play-caller, the system should remain familiar for Allen.Carmichael’s arrival adds a veteran presence who has overseen high-powered offenses before. During his time with Drew Brees in New Orleans, the Saints consistently ranked among the league’s best in passing yards and scoring.Buffalo will hope that combination of Brady’s creativity and Carmichael’s experience can help the team take the next step after another playoff disappointment ended the Sean McDermott era.Carmichael’s departure is also significant for the Broncos. He had been one of Payton’s most trusted assistants for nearly two decades. With Denver already making changes to its offensive staff, his exit signals further reshuffling within Payton’s coaching circle.For Buffalo the focus is clear. Brady has made a deliberate first move by surrounding himself with someone he trusts and knows well. As expectations remain high in Western New York, the partnership between Brady and Carmichael will be closely watched.