Don’t be surprised if you hear Trace McSorley’s name coming up a lot the next few years when NFL coaching staffs begin to turn over — he’s making a move from player to coach in a big way.
McSorley, who played quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens for 3 seasons from 2019 to 2021, has been hired as an assistant coach on one of his old team’s most hated rivals.
“The Bills are expected to hire former NFL QB Trace McSorley as an offensive assistant on Joe Brady’s staff,” The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “McSorley has spent the last couple of years at Penn State, beginning his coaching career.”
McSorley, 30 years old, was a 6th round pick (No. 197 overall) by the Ravens out of Penn State in the 2019 NFL draft. He played 6 seasons for 6 different teams, last playing for the Washington Commanders in 2024 and was the assistant quarterbacks coach for Penn State in 2025.
“It’s beginning to seem like more of the norm that guys like McSorley who are career 2nd and 3rd stringers are retiring early to take on coaching roles,” Golfman ATM wrote on their official X account. “It seems like they are great fits and instant knowledge to these teams due to recent experience in the game.”
McSorley Came Home For Final NFL Stop
McSorley was no stranger to the Commanders. He starred at Briar Woods High School in Ashburn, Virginia, where the Commanders have their team headquarters, before playing college football at Penn State.
McSorley went 31-9 over three seasons as the starter at Penn State from 2016 to 2018, leading Penn State to a Big Ten championship and Fiesta Bowl win. He was a 2-time All-Big Ten selection and left school with Penn State records for career total offense (11,596 yards), single-season passing yards (3,617), single-season passing touchdowns (29) and single-season total touchdowns (39).
He was also the inspiration for a song by rapper Matty Fresh — “Trace McSorley” — that generated over 8 million views on YouTube.
McSorley, 5-foot-11 and 211 pounds, was drafted in the 6th round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and is on his sixth team in six seasons. That includes stints with the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.
He made his lone career start in 2022 with the Cardinals, going 24-for-45 passing for 217 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bills Facing Massive Pressure in 2026
The Bills are under a tremendous amount of pressure in 2026 with Brady, a 1st year head coach, and 2024 NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen — take into account they fired longtime head coach Sean McDermott after losing in the AFC Divisional Round in 2025.
Buffalo will have the added pressure of playing in The Pit for the 1st time in 2026 – the new Highmark Stadium that cost $2.2 billion to build and is right across the street from the old Highmark Stadium.
“TRACE TO BILLS: Trace McSorley has left the PSU coaching staff to accept a position working with QBs for the Buffalo Bills,” Powers of PSU wrote on its official X account on Thursday. “Huge promotion for the young father. Former PSU assistant Joe Brady is his friend/new head coach. Obviously Terry Pegula owns the team. Brand new stadium. Wish Trace all the success!”
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