ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Changing coordinators in-season does not often make an immediate impact, but after four losses in six games, it's a move that head coach Sean McDermott decided to make on Tuesday in firing offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Quarterbacks coach Joe Brady is taking over the play-calling responsibilities on an interim basis.
McDermott is obviously hoping the move creates a much-needed spark on that side of the ball but acknowledges the true impact will take time.
"I don't think we'll get the real tell until we get a few weeks into it here... There can be an impact. The overall energy. It's in the margins in a lot of ways too right in terms of energy, culture, within a subculture... in this case, an offense has a subculture."
That speaks to McDermott's comments that the offense has lacked energy and confidence.
"Those are the things that are in the margins that fill the gaps between plays and I think those are just as important as the plays."
Brady worked as the offensive coordinator in Carolina in 2020 and 2021. He worked with now Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as the passing game coordinator at LSU in 2019.
McDermott says that Josh Allen has been "receptive" to the change, and has a good working relationship with Brady that needs to get to the next level quickly.
McDermott says that Brady is still deciding as to whether he'll call plays from the sidelines or in the booth. Senior offensive assistant Mike Shula will work more closely with the quarterbacks now that Brady has been elevated to the coordinator role on an interim basis.
McDermott made the decision to change coordinators on a short week coming off a 24-22 Monday night to the Denver Broncos, with the New York Jets (4-5) headed for Orchard Park Sunday afternoon. The Jets have beaten Buffalo in two of their last three meetings including the opener his year, and have the seventh-ranked scoring defense in the league (19.1ppg) that has given Allen and the Buffalo offense a very difficult time.
McDermott says the focus is inward at a time of transition like this.
"I think more than anything our focus needs to be on us. In particular on offense but overall as a team as well and getting us right."
The Bills held a walk-thru practice on Wednesday which was closed to the media.
Limited in practice:
CB Christian Benford, LB Dorian Williams, DB Cam Lewis, S Micah Hyde
Did not practice:
WR Trent Sherfield, DT Jordan Phillips