The New England Patriots pulled off what seemed impossible at the beginning of the season: winning the AFC East. The Bills have had a grip on the division since Tom Brady's departure after the 2019 season, and while Miami has come close, it has never been able to claim the title during New England's half-decade hiatus.
Making the playoffs for Josh Allen and company hasn't been an issue. Over the last seven years, the Bills have claimed the No. 2 seed four times, guaranteeing at least two home playoff games.
In the playoffs, however, they've been unable to get over the hump, losing to Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow during their five-season reign over the AFC East. After losing to Deshaun Watson's Texans during Allen's third season, the former Wyoming QB lost to his fourth different quarterback in the playoffs this season, Bo Nix.
With Mahomes, Burrow, and Lamar Jackson not in the playoffs to begin with, the reigning MVP was the best quarterback entering the playoffs. After grinding out a win in North Florida against Jacksonville, five turnovers cost the Bills a trip to the AFC Championship, as the Nix-led squad came out on top, 33-30.
Not long after, head coach Sean McDermott was fired.
A new Bills head coach could be a disaster for the Patriots
A new coach will be on the sidelines in Buffalo's new stadium next season after owner Terry Pegula believed the Bills had hit a "proverbial playoff wall". The Bills are in the process of interviewing several candidates.
Current OC Joe Brady and former OC and ex-Giants HC Brian Daboll were the first to be interviewed. Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, and former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn are also set to interview. Lynn was the Commanders' running backs coach this past season
Brady's hiring feels somewhat unlikely given his ties to McDermott, while Daboll's being given the position seems more possible. Given his time as the head coach of the Giants, experience may be something Brandon Beane and Pegula keep in mind.
Anarumo and Lynn have been around the block, but Udinski is an interesting option.
Grant Udinski could be a problem in Buffalo
He just turned 30 in January, and the Jaguars OC may be in the mold of Sean McVay when he first came on the scene with the Rams. Not only did me coordinate one of the league's most effective offenses, but his scheme fits Josh Allen's playstyle.
Trevor Lawrence had 82 carries in the season, the most in a single season of his career. His nine rushing touchdowns were more than his numbers in the last two seasons combined. He totaled 38 touchdowns to just 13 turnovers as the Jaguars won the division. His offense ranked 7th overall, 12th in passing, and 20th in rushing.
Udinski's improvement of the offense after the bye week was incredible. Before the bye, Jacksonville sat 4-3, scoring 20.9 PPG. After the bye, they went 9-1 and averaged 32.7 PPG. Before the bye, Lawrence attempted 40+ passes in four games, while he didn't do so at all after the bye.
The Bills' offense already has an exceptional running quarterback, and when paired with an elite running back in James Cook, who could help Udinski's offense avoid 40+ attempts. Jacksonville averaged just 15.8 PPG, and three of their four losses came when Lawrence hit that threshold.
Brady and Daboll could be sound hires, while Anarumo and Lynn have merit themselves. Udinski, however, should be the candidate that Patriots, Dolphins, and Jets fans fear will take the job in Buffalo.