The Buffalo Bills are deep into their head coaching search, having met with several high-profile candidates as the franchise seeks to replace former coach Sean McDermott and chart a new path forward.
Among the most intriguing names linked to the vacancy is Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s brightest young coaches.
However, the Bills won’t be able to interview Kubiak until the conclusion of the Super Bowl due to league rules designed to regulate contact with coaches still competing in the playoffs.
Kubiak has rapidly risen in prominence this season. The Seahawks’ offense shone in the NFC Championship Game, producing 31 points against the Los Angeles Rams and demonstrating a well-designed passing attack.
Quarterback Sam Darnold connected for 346 yards and three touchdowns, highlighting Kubiak’s ability to schematically free receivers and maximize offensive efficiency. Such results have not gone unnoticed, making him a highly coveted candidate for teams with head coaching openings.
Despite Buffalo’s interest, the league’s regulations prevent the Bills from pursuing Kubiak immediately. NFL rules allow in-person interviews with coaches from Super Bowl-bound teams only under very specific conditions.
One requirement is that the hiring team must have previously completed a preliminary virtual meeting with the candidate. Otherwise, no formal discussions can take place until the candidate’s season concludes.
League mandates create waiting game
For the Bills, that rule creates a unique challenge. The only possible window for a preliminary meeting with Kubiak would have been during Seattle’s bye week earlier in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, that coincided with Buffalo’s own Wild Card game, leaving the team still under McDermott‘s leadership and unable to coordinate a meeting. As a result, Buffalo must now wait until the Seahawks’ season officially ends before engaging in formal interviews.
Most teams already moving forward with their 2026 planning could gain an advantage in securing top-tier coaching talent and assembling their staffs early. If Buffalo delays its approach in hopes of landing Kubiak, it risks losing other prime candidates to teams that act sooner.
However, rushing to hire someone else could mean missing out on a coach with a proven ability to elevate an offense and connect with players.
Patience will be crucial for the Bills, but so will their short-term strategy. Waiting to interview Kubiak could yield a long-term payoff if he proves to be the right fit, yet it comes with the inherent tension of navigating the league’s strict postseason hiring rules.
Every week matters, and for Buffalo, this two-week delay could have lasting implications for the team’s future.
