As Super Bowl LX edges ever closer, the firings continue in the NFL. Since the end of the regular season, eight head coaches have left their roles. That spate of departures brings the total for the season to 10. The most recent addition to the list was the most surprising of all. Following nine years in Buffalo, Sean McDermott’s time as the Bills’ head coach has come to an end.
Following a heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round on Saturday, 17th January, Bills fans were left ruing another missed opportunity. However, few expected that McDermott would be the man to pay the price. This decision marked the end of an era that saw McDermott transform an ailing franchise into legitimate contenders, only to repeatedly fall short of ultimate glory.
Excellent Record But No Super Bowl
Formerly part of Andy Reid’s coaching set-up at the Philadelphia Eagles, McDermott came to prominence as the Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator between 2011 and 2016. His excellent work in Carolina, which included an appearance at Super Bowl 50, helped McDermott secure the big job in Buffalo in 2017.
Stepping in to replace Rex Ryan, who was sacked after two years in charge, McDermott was an immediate success. In his first season, he led the Bills to a 9-7 record and a first postseason appearance in 17 years. Overall, the Bills reached the playoffs in eight of McDermott’s nine seasons in charge, winning the AFC East in five consecutive seasons between 2020 and 2024.
McDermott’s 98-50 regular-season record is hard to fault, as are the overall stats of the Bills under his guidance. During his nine years in charge, the Bills scored the fifth most points of any team and conceded the third fewest. That represents an outstanding record on both sides of the ball, but it wasn’t enough to see the Bills finally break their Super Bowl hoodoo – or even make it to the big game.
Despite his impressive stats, McDermott couldn’t get the job done in the Super Bowl. In the eight postseason appearances of the McDermott era, the Bills made it no further than the AFC Championship game – losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in both 2020 and 2024.
During his tenure, the Bills became the first team in history to win a playoff game in six consecutive years without making the Super Bowl. That failure to get over the line appears to have cost McDermott his job.
Josh Allen Window Closing?
The Josh Allen factor may also have played a role in the Bills’ decision. Undoubtedly among the most talented quarterbacks of his generation – if not the most talented – Allen’s presence has provided the Bills with their best chance to win in decades. McDermott has had eight seasons to cash in on Allen’s talent and has failed to deliver a Super Bowl.
While it is too early to suggest that time is running out for the 2024 MVP, Allen will turn 30 ahead of his ninth NFL season. The 2025 campaign also saw the all-action playmaker post his lowest passing yards and touchdowns totals since 2019. With Allen in the closing stages of his peak years, the Bills’ decision makers may believe it is worth rolling the dice with a coaching change.
An Amicable End
Despite the shocking nature of the news, there appears to be no animosity from either side as McDermott and the Bills part ways. Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a statement, “Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past nine seasons, but I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organisation the best opportunity to take our team to the next level. We owe that to our players and to Bills Mafia.”
McDermott, meanwhile, only had good things to say about his time in Buffalo, stating, “For nearly a decade, I have had the opportunity to wake up every morning as the Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, which has truly been a gift. I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Pegula family, the Buffalo Bills organisation, and to the fans for allowing me to live out the dream of being a Head Coach in the NFL in this incredibly special place.”
The Search for a New Head Coach Begins
When informing Bills fans of McDermott’s departure, Pegula also announced that General Manager Brandon Beane had been promoted to the position of President of Football Operations. Beane’s selection of Josh Allen in the 2018 draft has earned him plenty of credit in Buffalo. However, his first task in his new role may be his toughest yet as he scours the market for McDermott’s successor.
From McDermott’s point of view, the 51-year-old is unlikely to be out of work for long if he wishes to dive straight back into the NFL pressure cooker. The Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals all have vacancies following the latest postseason coaching shakeup.