Buffalo Bills outside the box hire is already paying off

The Buffalo Bills have made several changes to their coaching staff over the offseason.

The interim tag was dropped from Joe Brady’s title, and he enters the 2024 season as the full-time offensive coordinator. They also promoted long-time defensive assistant Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator.

One hire the Bills made, though, that is flying under the radar is hiring former NFL referee John Parry as an officiating liaison. Parry was an official for over a decade, including two Super Bowls. He also spent five seasons as the rules analyst for ESPN.

In the Bills’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, the Bills correctly challenged two calls in large part because of Parry being in the ear of Sean McDermott. McDermott had only had two successful challenges in a season once, so the fact that he did it in one game is remarkable regardless of it coming in exhibition play.

This hire looks like one that will greatly benefit the Bills, and the rest of the league could begin making similar hires going forward.