Joe Brady disagrees with Sean McDermott's criticism of Bills' struggling passing game

The Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator did not seem to agree with criticism of the team's passing game when asked about its recent struggles on Monday afternoon.

Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady calls out during drills on the opening day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford Wednesday, July 24, 2024. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Minutes after Sean McDermott conceded that the Buffalo Bills must be better in the passing game, Joe Brady appeared to take exception with that criticism.

While speaking with reporters on Monday afternoon, the Bills’ offensive coordinator disagreed with those who felt the Buffalo aerial attack struggled in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers.

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Bills quarterback Josh Allen talks with offensive coordinator Joe Brady between drills. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We didn’t really need it yesterday,” said Brady, referencing running back James Cook’s massive performance against Carolina. “I’m always going to want everything to improve, but when we’re running the ball yesterday, we didn’t really need to pass it. Especially once we kind of got rolling into the second half.”

Quarterback Josh Allen started the game slowly, completing just 6 of his first 13 passes against the Panthers as the Bills' offense stumbled into halftime leading 19-3. If it weren’t for Cook’s heroics, coupled with a few timely splash plays from the Buffalo defense, the score would have been much closer entering the second half.

Allen was off the mark on a few throws in the early going before completing all six of his passes in the second half, while the Bills’ wide receiver corps failed to gain the separation needed to present open targets for their quarterback. Aside from Khalil Shakir’s six receptions, Buffalo WRs recorded four receptions for 44 yards. Second-year pro Keon Coleman totaled just three catches for 30 yards, with one of those coming from backup QB Mitch Trubisky in garbage time.

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Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

“I obviously have to do a better job,” said Brady regarding Coleman’s lack of involvement. “I want to get him going more in the pass game.”

The combination of Allen’s inefficiency and the WRs’ inability to get open led to a long day for the Bills through the air offensively. With that said, Brady remained steadfast in his confidence in Allen and company.

“I have no concerns with the pass game,” said the Bills’ OC.

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Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Brady did concede that his unit has had some rough patches in past games.

“We were definitely off against Atlanta, we turned the ball over against New England,” he acknowledged.

The Bills’ OC added, “When you look at us the last few weeks, we have to obviously improve in the pass game. I wouldn’t say it’s been hard, but in the situations that we’re in, we’re not helping ourselves get out of those situations.”

Still, it does not appear that Brady feels the Bills need a complete offensive overhaul.

“There’s always elements that we have to clean up,” he said. “But anytime you run the ball or 240, you’re going to be pleased with how the game went.”

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Bills head coach Sean McDermott talks with offensive coordinator Joe Brady during drills on the opening day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford Wednesday, July 24, 2024. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

There’s no question that Cook’s emergence has been a revelation for the Bills this season. He has been the MVP of the Buffalo offense through its first seven games of the season. With that said, the question is, what will happen when an opposing team shuts down the Bills’ potent rushing attack, forcing them to pass the ball?

The Bills proved their ability to attack through the air offensively during a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, a performance that Brady cited in his unit’s defense on Monday. But they have yet to replicate their second-half stretch that led them to a victory over Baltimore. There is still ample time for this team to disprove the doubters, but until the Bills do so, questions regarding their passing game will continue to swirl.

Whether Brady agrees with them or not.

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