"What excuse could you have?": Stephen A. Smith on Bills promoting Joe Brady and raising expectations for Josh Allen ahead of Super Bowl

The Buffalo Bills did not hesitate once they decided to move on from Sean McDermott. Instead of opening a long coaching search, they promoted Joe Brady and made it clear that stability around Josh Allen matters more than anything else right now. For fans, the move felt like a statement. Buffalo believes the pieces are already in place to win. What happens next is about results, not patience.
The choice also raised the volume on expectations. Keeping Brady removes the learning curve Allen has dealt with for most of his career. There is no new system to adjust to and no transition period to hide behind. With continuity locked in, the Bills are sending a clear signal that this window is very real, and they expect to capitalize on it immediately.

Stephen A. Smith says Buffalo has removed every excuse

During a discussion about pressure on elite quarterbacks, Stephen A. Smith made it clear that Allen and Brady now sit near the top of that list. From his perspective, Buffalo’s decision to stay in house changes everything. "I say [Josh] Allen and [Joe] Brady because Brady is not new," Smith said while debating who faces more pressure between Allen and Lamar Jackson.
He then explained why that matters so much in Buffalo. "You were the offensive coordinator. They kept the dude in-house. So chemistry and cohesiveness remain intact. Your defense wasn't as bad as Baltimore Ravens. Josh Allen is still that guy. And so, as a result, what possible excuse could you have if Brandon Beane gives you a tweak here and there to elevate the roster?"
The Bills clearly agree with that logic. Rather than forcing Allen to learn yet another offense, which would have been his fourth in nine seasons, they chose consistency. That decision was backed up by how the team performed under Brady in 2025. Allen finished the season with a 102.2 passer rating, throwing for 3,668 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Just as important, the offense became the most productive rushing unit in the league, leading in attempts, yards, and rushing touchdowns. That balance played a major role in Allen’s MVP push. Allen himself endorsed the promotion shortly after it became official. "I truly believe in the direction of this organization, starting from the top," he said.
The disappointment from last season still lingers. With teams like Kansas City, Baltimore, and Cincinnati missing the playoffs, the path looked open. Buffalo still failed to break through. That outcome has now shifted pressure toward the front office. General manager Brandon Beane has already said he plans to be aggressive. "I'm not going to be afraid to make moves," Beane said while speaking with Josh Reed. "Now, I do have to make sure that I don't do something so that we walk into a season and it's Josh playing with guys who look like you. "That would test his greatness. I think that would be irresponsible for me to do that. But I am always looking for ways, trying to be creative, whether it's with the cap or contracts."
Buffalo reportedly explored trades for Jaylen Waddle and Quinnen Williams but ran into leverage issues. With questions at wide receiver and defensive tackle, and possible departures looming, the offseason work is far from done.

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