There is plenty of familiarity between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. You may have heard. They've been at this for a while. Another Sunday afternoon AFC East matchup nearsbetween two teams whose feud dates back to 1960.
As always, there are a few twists. One involves the guys leading these teams from the sideline. The connection between the head coaches goes back well before either took on their current responsibilities.
Aaron Glenn and Joe Brady first worked together on the New Orleans Saints' coaching staff under Sean Payton, alongside Dan Campbell. Glenn's time there as the Saints' defensive backs coach (2016-2020) overlaps two years where Brady was an offensive assistant (2017-18).
Their time together in New Orleans helped establish a relationship
that continued after Brady left for theLSU Tigersin 2019. There, as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, he became part of an offensive staff that helped produce one of the most prolific seasons in college football history.
Glenn spoke with the media on Friday and was asked about that history by the New York media. He described a friendship built around a shared passion for the game and a willingness to learn from one another.
"We started in New Orleans together, with Dan Campbell. We had a really good staff there. He actually ended up going to LSU and being a part of that staff when everything blew up with those receivers and quarterback they had there," Glenn said. "We always stayed in touch, and we talked ball a lot. I would take a drive up to Baton Rouge to speak to him about some things that they were doing there, and it was vice versa. He would come back up to New Orleans, where we were, and we would talk ball."
That relationship extended beyond occasional conversations. Glenn and Brady made a point of visiting one another and exchanging ideas, keeping their coaching connection alive even after they went in different directions professionally.
Now, they will be on opposite sidelines when the Jets host the Bills. The familiarity adds another layer to Sunday's matchup, but Glenn's comments made it clear that, regardless of how that one plays out, the respect between the two coaches was established long before their teams became division opponents.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Aaron Glenn explains Joe Brady connection before Jets-Bills game
