The Buffalo Bills were back at One Bills Drive Sunday for their final team meetings and locker clean out day less than 24 hours after their AFC Divisional loss at Denver.
A number of players met with the media to discuss the end of the season, their thoughts on the coaching staff and what is on the horizon for their future. All locker room interviews can be found on the Bills video page. QB Josh Allen intends to speak with the media later in the week.
Here's what we learned from the Bills players on the coaching staff specifically.
"He made football fun" — Players react to Kromer's intent to retire
The Bills were informed of offensive line coach Aaron Kromer's intent to retire from coaching during their final team meeting before the offseason. Third-year right guard O'Cyrus Torrence shared that Kromer was a great coach to play for and aided in his development.
"He made football fun. I could definitely say that he taught me the game. He made me understand it," Torrence said.
Kromer has been highly-regarded by Bills players and other staff members since his arrival in 2022. In 2024, the Bills offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL, keeping QB Josh Allen upright en route to his MVP season.
"Coach Krom helped me improve the mental part of the game, just being able to go out there and lock into my job and understanding of what I'm doing and not letting what's happening around me affect my play," Torrence added.
A year later, the team's offensive line was a dominant force in the run game, leading the NFL in rushing yards. RB James Cook set a career-best in rushing yards with 1,62, the most in the NFL in 2025.
"I liked how we really emphasized running the ball," fullback Reggie Gilliams said. "So without (Kromer), we wouldn't be what we were this year, with the number one rushing leader or rushing offense."
Torrence voiced support for assistant offensive line coach Austin Gund, who joined the coaching staff in 2022 and was promoted to his current position in 2023.
"He's been here since I've been here. He knows the offense. He knows how we block," Torrence said of Gund.
Support for Sean McDermott and Joe Brady
The Bills won at least 12 regular season games for the fourth time in the last six seasons under head coach Sean McDermott.
While the team has been unable to get over the hump in terms of their ultimate postseason goal, there's no denying that McDermott has built Buffalo into a perennial contender that has a chance to make the Super Bowl every season.
"He just showed me how he could build a team with guys with the same mindset as him that want to run through walls," linebacker Shaq Thompson said. "And I believe everybody in that locker room would have ran through the wall for Coach McDermott."
With the defensive unit consistently dealing with injuries to key positions throughout the year, McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich adjusted over the course of the season.
The defense saw a simultaneous rise of play from younger players in Cole Bishop, Maxwell Hairston and Deone Walker, while managing to get the most out of veteran players like Jordan Poyer, Tre'Davious White and Thompson.
Together, the defense achieved the No. 1 pass defense in yards allowed.
"Just a resilient group. We got a lot of guys that keep fighting to the end," Bishop said. "Our coaches do a great job helping us understand what we're doing, and they just put us in a good position."
On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Joe Brady helped guide the group to a second consecutive season ranked top three in the NFL in scoring. They were the AFC's top scoring offense in both 2024 and 2025.
"I'm so thankful for (Brady)," tight end Dawson Knox said. "This whole team, this offense, has so much respect for him as a coordinator and as a man. We can feel that love that he has for us, not only as football players, but as men too off the field and how our families are doing."
Knox pointed to Buffalo's penchant for overcoming obstacles during the season and how the team rallied from down double digits a league-high three times this season.
"He did an incredible job every single game, giving us every possible chance to win," the TE shared.
Brady has reportedly been requested for head coaching interviews by multiple NFL teams, specifically the Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins. Should Brady get offered and accept a head coaching position, the Bills will need a new offensive coordinator for the fourth time in QB Josh Allen's career.
While Bills players want the best for Brady and his coaching future, they also know how valuable he is in Buffalo.
"Selfishly I'd love to have him back. I'd love to say he's a terrible coach so no one else will hire him, but that's not the truth," Knox admitted. "Hopefully he's back next year, but we definitely want the best for him, and I'm very, very thankful for my time with him."
