The Buffalo Bills have been quite aggressive to start the new offseason. After suffering a crushing loss in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos, the Bills surprisingly fired head coach Sean McDermott and replaced him with their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. Since earning this big-time promotion, Brady has worked quickly to fill out his coaching staff.
Brady made his two biggest hires last week, as he tabbed Pete Carmichael Jr. and Jim Leonhard for his offensive and defensive coordinator roles, respectively. Now, he’s looking to add some talented assistants to join his staff, and reports have emerged linking the Bills to Oklahoma Sooners co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai.
Bills Eyeing Jay Valai for Defensive Backs Coach Job
Buffalo’s decision to simply promote Brady after firing McDermott did register as a bit of a surprise across the league. However, it’s clear that Brady is viewed as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL, and the team valued the relationship he has with their superstar quarterback, Josh Allen.
Brady has wasted no time filling out his coaching staff, and many of the hires he has made to this point have been met with positive reviews. Now, he’s targeting Valai, who wore many hats with Oklahoma in the college football world this past season. Not only was Valai the Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator, but he was also the assistant head coach for defense and the cornerbacks and nickelbacks coach.
Simply put, Valai has a wealth of experience working on the defensive side of the ball. Beyond that, he also played football for the Wisconsin Badgers in college, which is where Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator, Leonhard, worked for seven years. While they didn’t overlap with each other there, it’s clear those ties have helped Valai stand out in the eyes of Brady, who is looking to bring him to town as his new defensive backs coach.
“The Bills are targeting Oklahoma assistant head coach for defense/co-DC Jay Valai for a defensive backs coach job, sources tell CBS Sports,” Matt Zenitz reported in a post on X. “Valai, who has been of interest to other NFL teams too as well as Notre Dame, helped OU rank sixth nationally in total defense this year.”
Should the Bills Hire Jay Valai?
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 17: Offensive coordinator Joe Brady of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Valai is an up-and-coming coach who has already done a little bit of everything on the defensive side of the ball. Having him focus on working with the team’s defensive backs, which is his specialty, would make a lot of sense, as it would help him make the transition from the college ranks to the NFL.
The Bills will face a bit of competition for Valai’s services, but they are assembling an All-Star coaching staff that many folks will likely want to be a part of. Time will tell whether or not the two sides can hammer something out, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Valai land with Buffalo at some point in the near future.
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