ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP - Modified) — A league source has confirmed to 7 Sports that the Buffalo Bills are set to hire Pete Carmichael as the team's offensive coordinator.
The 54-year-old Carmichael has been a long-time assistant under Sean Payton, including spending the previous two seasons as the Denver Broncos senior offensive assistant.
It was during Payton’s time coaching New Orleans when Carmichael’s tenure overlapped with Brady. Carmichael was the Saints offensive coordinator when Brady spent the 2017 and ’18 seasons as an offensive assistant.
Carmichael has 26 seasons of NFL coaching experience, beginning in 2000, when he was tight ends coach in Cleveland, before going on to serve as the Saints offensive coordinator from 2009-23. He leaves Denver with Payton shuffling his offensive staff by firing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and wide receivers coach Keary Colbert.
The shakeup comes after the AFC's top-seeded Broncos' 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC championship game on Sunday.
Carmichael’s extensive experience and connections to Payton are pluses for the 36-year-old Brady, who is making his head-coaching debut. Brady spent the past two-plus seasons as the Bills offensive coordinator before being promoted this week to replace Sean McDermott, who was fired after nine seasons.
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Brady has spoken highly of how he’s adopted many of Payton’s philosophies by saying he earned “a doctorate” in offense during his time in New Orleans.
Though Carmichael will serve as coordinator, Brady has already said he intends to continue calling plays for Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense.
The Buffalo Bills released the following statement from Brady about the hiring of Carmichael.
"Pete is one of the smartest guys I have ever met. He is a football savant. He was one of my mentors going back to my time in New Orleans. He has worked closely with a Hall of Fame coach in Sean Payton and a Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees, both of whom I obviously have a ton of respect for. Pete is a great communicator and has no ego. One of the most important things about having Pete on staff is that I have full trust in his vision and his ability to run the meetings and installs, which will allow me to focus on my other duties as a head coach. We are excited to get him here in Buffalo."
According to a league source, the Bills are also set to hire Cardinals special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers for the same role on Brady's staff.
The Buffalo Bills released the following statement from Brady about the hiring of Rodgers.
"Jeff is one of the most respected and successful special teams coaches in our league. He is wired the right way and his special teams units over the years have matched the detail and personality I was looking for. They are always well-prepared and tough to play against. He is known for his high energy and excellent communication skills."
"Pete is one of the smartest guys I have ever met. He is a football savant. He was one of my mentors going back to my time in New Orleans. He has worked closely with a Hall of Fame coach in Sean Payton and a Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees, both of whom I obviously have a ton of respect for. Pete is a great communicator and has no ego. One of the most important things about having Pete on staff is that I have full trust in his vision and his ability to run the meetings and installs, which will allow me to focus on my other duties as a head coach. We are excited to get him here in Buffalo."
There is still a vacancy at defensive coordinator after Bobby Babich left to take the same job in Green Bay.
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