ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — As organized team activities moved outdoors at One Bills Drive, quarterback Josh Allen and offseason addition DJ Moore were settling in while a new coaching staff worked to find its rhythm. Joe Brady, in his first season as head coach and play caller, is leaning on veteran offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who spent 2009-23 as the Saints’ coordinator and worked with Brady in New Orleans from 2017-18.
Carmichael described his role as a sounding board and a conduit for Brady’s messages to the offense. “If [Brady] doesn’t like it, then we don’t need it, and everybody’s good with that,” Carmichael said. He also praised Allen’s personality and competitiveness: “He likes to keep it light, but when it’s time to get serious, he does.” Carmichael called Moore “smooth” and noted the receiver’s quickness off the line.
With many new faces, the Bills emphasized building familiarity. The report said returning leaders such as Allen will help that process; Allen plans to gather the pass-catchers between the end of mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp to develop chemistry.
The OTAs also produced position experimentation. Travis Clayton, a 2024 seventh-round pick from the International Player Pathway Program who spent last season on injured reserve and the practice squad, took reps on the defensive line for the first time. Clayton said a team drill and his performance against defensive backs prompted coaches to try him on the other side of the ball; he ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash at the IPP pro day. He worked after practice with linemen Javon Solomon and Andre Jones Jr., and compared the D-line reps to rugby.
On the injury front, outside linebacker Michael Hoecht has been working with strength and conditioning staff as he rehabs a torn right Achilles sustained Nov. 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Hoecht said he is trying to be ready for training camp.
