The Buffalo Bills stunned the NFL world on Monday by parting ways with head coach Sean McDermott, ending a nine-year tenure that transformed the franchise from perennial underachievers to consistent contenders but fell short of the ultimate goal. The announcement came just two days after Buffalo’s gut-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round, a game marred by controversial officiating calls that left fans and players alike questioning what might have been. In a statement released by the team, owner Terry Pegula praised McDermott’s contributions while signaling a desire for fresh leadership to push the Bills over the hump.
“Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past nine seasons,” Pegula said, according to the team’s official website. The move also included a promotion for general manager Brandon Beane, who will now serve as President of Football Operations and take the reins in searching for McDermott’s replacement. This decision underscores the organization’s confidence in Beane’s vision for the roster, particularly around star quarterback Josh Allen, while highlighting frustrations over repeated postseason disappointments.
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McDermott, 51, was hired by the Bills in 2017 after a successful stint as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, where he helped guide the team to Super Bowl 50. His arrival in Buffalo marked the end of a 17-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL at the time. Under his guidance, the Bills compiled a 98-50 regular-season record, good for a .662 winning percentage that ranks among the league’s best over that span, as detailed in Pro Football Reference data. McDermott’s teams made the playoffs in eight of nine seasons, including seven straight from 2019 onward, and captured five consecutive AFC East titles starting in 2020.
Those achievements revitalized a fan base starved for success since the Bills’ four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s. McDermott instilled a culture of discipline and resilience, often emphasizing “process” and “trust” in his press conferences. His defenses were consistently elite, ranking first in the NFL in takeaways (179), total yards allowed per game (315.4), and passer rating against (80.2) since 2017, according to team statistics. Buffalo also led the league in interceptions (109) and ranked third in points allowed per game (19.9). Players like safety Micah Hyde and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds thrived under his schemes, turning the Bills into a feared unit on that side of the ball.
Yet, for all the regular-season dominance, McDermott’s postseason record told a different story: 8-8, with no advancement beyond the AFC Championship Game. The Bills suffered a string of agonizing defeats, including the infamous “13 seconds” collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 divisional round and back-to-back losses to Patrick Mahomes’ squad in subsequent years. Critics pointed to conservative decision-making in high-stakes moments, such as opting for field goals instead of going for it on fourth down, as recurring issues. ESPN analyst Adam Schefter noted on “Get Up” that the Bills’ inability to close out big games ultimately sealed McDermott’s fate.
This season was no exception. Buffalo finished 11-6, securing the No. 3 seed in the AFC and dispatching the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round. But against the Broncos on January 17, the Bills squandered a late lead in regulation, allowing Denver to tie the game with a field goal as time expired. In overtime, a disputed roughing-the-passer penalty on Bills edge rusher Von Miller extended a Broncos drive that ended in the winning score. McDermott was vocal about the call postgame, calling it “not even close” and fueling debates about officiating inconsistencies. According to The Athletic, team owner Pegula echoed those sentiments, reportedly stating that the official “should be fired and never allowed to work another game.”
The loss amplified long-simmering questions about whether McDermott could elevate the team to championship caliber. Despite having Josh Allen, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks with his dual-threat abilities, the Bills have yet to reach the Super Bowl in the Allen era. Allen, drafted seventh overall in 2018 under McDermott and Beane’s watch, has thrown for over 4,000 yards in five straight seasons and added significant rushing production. But playoff heroics from opponents like Mahomes and now Broncos quarterback Bo Nix have repeatedly dashed Buffalo’s hopes. As one anonymous player told Yahoo Sports, “We’ve got the talent, but something’s missing in those big moments.”
Player reactions to the firing were mixed, reflecting the respect McDermott commanded in the locker room. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips posted on Instagram calling the decision “stupid,” while others, like Allen, expressed gratitude in media sessions after the Broncos game. “Coach McDermott changed this franchise,” Allen said, per AP News reports. “He’s the reason we’re here.” Former Bills running back LeSean McCoy, now an analyst, questioned the move on social media, arguing that Beane’s roster construction particularly at wide receiver and in the draft deserved more scrutiny.
Beane’s promotion, however, suggests the front office views the issues as coaching-related rather than personnel-driven. Beane, who joined the Bills alongside McDermott from Carolina, has been instrumental in building the current core through savvy trades and drafts. He acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs in 2020 (later traded to Houston) and bolstered the defense with picks like Greg Rousseau and Kaiir Elam. With Beane now reporting directly to Pegula and overseeing the coaching search, the Bills aim to maintain continuity while injecting new ideas. Reuters reported that Beane will prioritize candidates who can maximize Allen’s prime years, as the quarterback enters his age-30 season in 2026.
Speculation about potential replacements has already begun swirling. Internal options include offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who revitalized the Bills’ attack after taking over mid-2023 and has interviewed for other head coaching jobs this cycle. Brady’s emphasis on a balanced offense could appeal to a team looking to evolve beyond McDermott’s defensive roots. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is another in-house name, though the Bills might seek external experience.
Outside candidates abound. Brian Daboll, the former Bills offensive coordinator who won Coach of the Year with the New York Giants in 2022 before being let go this offseason, has strong ties to Allen from their time together. Daboll’s innovative play-calling helped Allen emerge as an MVP candidate early on. Other names include Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, praised for his leadership by Sports Illustrated, and Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb, a young offensive mind with quarterback expertise. More established figures like former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel or Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could bring fresh schemes, per SB Nation analysis. Even legendary names like Bill Belichick, recently available after his Patriots stint, have been floated in fan discussions on platforms like X, though his fit with a young quarterback like Allen remains debatable.
Social media erupted with reactions from Bills Mafia, the team’s passionate fan base. Posts on X ranged from shock “Bills fire McDermott but promote Beane? Make it make sense,” one user wrote to calls for accountability in officiating. Another fan lamented, “Firing Coach after all he’s done feels wrong, but maybe it’s time for change.” The sentiment captures the bittersweet nature of the move: appreciation for McDermott’s revival of the franchise mixed with hunger for a championship that has eluded Buffalo since 1965.
The Bills now face a pivotal offseason. With Allen under contract through 2028 albeit with a hefty cap hit and key pieces like edge rusher Von Miller and cornerback Tre’Davious White returning, the roster is built to win now. But salary cap constraints, projected at around $40 million over the limit per OverTheCap estimates, will test Beane’s maneuvering. Draft picks in the first and second rounds offer opportunities to address needs at wide receiver and safety.
Historically, coaching changes in Buffalo have been hit-or-miss. Marv Levy led the team to those four Super Bowls in the ’90s, while more recent hires like Rex Ryan and Doug Marrone flamed out quickly. McDermott’s era will be remembered as a bridge from irrelevance to relevance, but the pressure is on to find someone who can deliver the Lombardi Trophy. As Pegula put it in his statement, the Bills are committed to “pursuing excellence at the highest level.”
For a city that lives and breathes football, this transition represents both risk and opportunity. Buffalo’s harsh winters and loyal fans demand a coach who embraces the grind, much like McDermott did. Whoever steps in will inherit a talented squad and the weight of expectations. If the Bills nail this hire, a Super Bowl parade down Delaware Avenue could finally become reality. Until then, the offseason drama in Orchard Park is just beginning.