Grant Udinski, Buffalo Bills may want to think twice about a potential partnership

With the victories come the spoils, or the losses. The losses don’t show up on the scoreboard, but in the pieces that are lost from the victor’s staff. Such is the potential for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason with their staff. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile recently had a second interview with the Arizona Cardinals, this time in person. But he is not the only Jacksonville coordinator attracting attention from other NFL teams. Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has been identified as someone who could one day become a head coach. The Buffalo Bills, who recently fired their head coach, are seeking a new coach and have reached out to Udinski for an interview. The 30-year-old Udinski is considered a very bright offensive mind, and he could be really considered by Buffalo for their head coaching position. But life always has a way of showing us the mistakes we made.

 Hiring coaches who have not called plays offensively has been shown to us before. In fact, the Tennessee Titans showed us this in 2024 when they hired Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. He had worked with a multitude of talented quarterbacks, including Peyton Manning and Joe Burrow in some aspects. And even though he was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, he did not call the plays. He did, however, put together the gameplans. While Callahan's involvement in the game plans and putting them together was paramount, it does not replace the feel that comes with calling plays. Knowing when and where to call different things in different situations is something that comes with experience in that position. While Callahan may have considered all scenarios when he was the offensive coordinator, that cannot replace the in-tune feeling for what situations call for at certain moments.

 With Udinski, he is a coordinator who has not called plays in Jacksonville. He is surely a part of the braintrust regarding the Jacksonville offense that has helped make Trevor Lawrence an MVP Finalist this year. But when you move over a seat from the assistant to the head coach, things get a little different, as Brian Callahan can attest to. Combine that lack of play-calling experience with the pressure cooker that is the Buffalo Bills' job right now, and Udinski would be entering a situation that could put pressure on him he may not be ready to handle. And in that case, it could ultimately lead to him having a quicker exit than he would want there. Overall, while he is being considered for the job, he may not be the right man for the job at this time and may need more room to grow.

 Calling plays does not seem like a big deal to many on the outside looking in, but it is something prospective head coaches need to do the majority of the time. While Udinski is a candidate in Buffalo and is hailed as an ascending coach, the fact of the matter is that he may do best by gaining that play-calling experience before becoming a head coach for longevity’s sake.