The New Orleans Saints won't be hiring Joe Brady as their next head coach after the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator pulled out of the running for the job this weekend. But after seeing what Brady and the Bills' offense did on Sunday night, that might be for the best.
The Bills fell short in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, losing 32-29 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite flashes of brilliance from Buffalo's offense, they ultimately failed to deliver in crucial moments.
Brady has shouldered the brunt of that blame. The young offensive coordinator spammed screens and QB sneaks late in the game, failed to involve star running back James Cook during one of the most crucial drives of the season, and made several highly questionable decisions down the stretch.
It wasn't all Brady's fault, of course. Brady didn't allow 32 points to Kansas City's offense. He didn't force tight end Dalton Kincaid to drop the ball. But it's safe to say that Sunday's game was not his best outing. The Saints might be better off.
Saints shouldn't lose sleep over missing out on Joe Brady
The Saints will continue their search for a new head coach, one that has outlasted every other opening in the league. Brady was considered one of the top contenders for the job before he pulled out of the running on Saturday.
New Orleans was reportedly in the market for now-former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn before he was hired by the New York Jets. With Glenn and Brady out of the picture, the Saints have resorted to other options.
The team conducted in-person interviews with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka over the weekend after a snowstorm delayed the meetings.
The Saints are expected to conduct a second in-person interview with special teams coordinator and interim head coach Darren Rizzi and will likely speak to former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as well.
The Saints have plenty of options and will likely take their time deciding on their next head coach. With every other team's search already concluded, there's no longer a sense of urgency.
As far as Joe Brady is concerned, it may have been nice to have landed a young offensive-minded head coach to lead the next era of Saints football, Sunday's game proves they may have dodged a bullet.