Despite the success of interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady in the latter part of the season, the Buffalo Bills have opted to broaden their coaching search to include both internal and external candidates.
Although Brady, who also interviewed for the head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons, had the opportunity to impress Buffalo’s decision-makers and shed the interim label, the team is considering other candidates with ties to Western New York. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bills are set to interview Thad Lewis, currently the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for the offensive coordinator role.
Lewis, a former quarterback, spent the 2013 season in Buffalo as the backup to rookie EJ Manuel, achieving a 2-3 record while completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,092 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. After retiring in 2017, Lewis transitioned to coaching, initially serving as an offensive analyst for the UCLA Bruins before joining the Buccaneers in 2021. In 2023, he was promoted to quarterbacks coach and played a significant role in optimizing Baker Mayfield’s performance.
Working alongside offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who was recently hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Lewis contributed to Mayfield’s resurgence, leading the Buccaneers to the Divisional Round. This successful coaching stint has garnered attention across the league, making Lewis a desirable candidate for offensive coordinator positions.
Mayfield, who had faced challenges in his career, experienced a turnaround under Lewis’s coaching, achieving career-high statistics in passing yards (4,044), touchdowns (28), and completion percentage (64.3 percent) during his time with the Buccaneers.
While Lewis won’t need to focus on quarterback development with Bills superstar Josh Allen already established as one of the league’s top players, his ability to strategically position the passing game for success, even in the face of inconsistent run game and offensive line performances, makes him a compelling option.
Although Buffalo may choose to retain Brady if he doesn’t secure a new position, Lewis’s track record speaks for itself, warranting serious consideration for a pivotal role on the Bills’ coaching staff.
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