The Buffalo Bills have opened up their offensive coordinator search. In interviewing Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, they are interviewing one of their own.
Despite interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s success down the stretch, the Buffalo Bills have decided to open up their coaching search to both internal and external candidates.
Brady, who also interviewed to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was given a chance to impress the Buffalo brass and remove the interim tag from his title. However, he won’t be the only candidate with experience in Western New York.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bills plan to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis for the offensive coordinator gig. Lewis, a former quarterback, spent the 2013 season in Buffalo as the backup quarterback. As the backup to rookie EJ Manuel, Lewis posted a 2-3 record while completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,092 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
As a player, Lewis would also spend time with the then-St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens.
Retiring after the 2017 season, Lewis transitioned to coaching. He started as an offensive analyst for the UCLA Bruins before being hired by the Buccaneers in 2021. There, he was an assistant receivers coach for two seasons. In 2023, Tampa Bay promoted him to quarterbacks coach, and it paid dividends.
Along with offensive coordinator Dave Canales – hired this week to be the head coach of the Carolina Panthers – Lewis helped optimize quarterback Baker Mayfield and ultimately get the Buccaneers to the Divisional Round. That work is not lost on teams around the league and has helped generate interest as an offensive coordinator candidate.
Mayfield looked like a journeyman quarterback after being cast away by the Browns. He had an unsuccessful stint with the Carolina Panthers and saw time with the Rams before the 2022 season game to a close. He had to beat out backup Kyle Trask before being named the starter in Tampa Bay and was playing on just a $4 million deal.
Instead, he regained his confidence – and in turn, competence – and had perhaps his best season in the NFL. He set career-high marks in passing yards (4,044), touchdowns (28), and completion percentage (64.3 percent).
Of course, Lewis won’t have to deal with developing a quarterback, Bills superstar Josh Allen is well-established as one of the game’s greats. But his ability to help put the passing game in positions to win, even if the run game and offensive line were inconsistent, will be sought after.
Buffalo doesn’t need to move on from Brady, assuming he doesn’t take a new gig, but Lewis’ work speaks for itself, and he’s earned every right to be seriously considered for a crucial position on the Bills’ staff.