The Buffalo Bills announced on Monday the dismissal of Sean McDermott from his role as head coach after nearly a decade at the helm. This decision follows the team’s recent playoff exit, a tight 33-30 overtime loss against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.
Owner Terry Pegula acknowledged McDermott's transformative influence on the franchise, noting his pivotal role in turning the Bills into a consistent playoff contender. However, Pegula emphasized a desire to revamp leadership structures, aiming to enhance the team’s capacity to progress further in future competitions.
Alongside McDermott’s departure, Pegula elevated general manager Brandon Beane to the position of president of football operations. Beane, who shares nine seasons with the organization, will take charge of the forthcoming coaching employment process.
The Bills recorded a 12-5 regular-season performance, ending a five-year streak leading the AFC East by finishing second to the New England Patriots. Buffalo also holds a unique NFL record as the initial team to earn victories in playoff rounds across six successive years without advancing to the Super Bowl.
McDermott’s release is part of a wider pattern of coaching changes reaching a significant level this NFL offseason. He became the tenth head coach to be replaced, joining notable names such as John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. Harbaugh has since joined the New York Giants’ coaching staff.
During his tenure, 51-year-old McDermott amassed a 98-50 regular-season record and an 8-8 playoff record. His achievements place him second in franchise history for wins, surpassed only by Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy's 112-70 mark over 11 seasons. Levy led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s, though all ended in losses.
Despite quarterback Josh Allen breaking many franchise passing and scoring records, the team’s inability to break through to the Super Bowl stage has been a critical factor. The Bills made it to the AFC championship twice during Allen’s seven-year playoff tenure but were defeated both times by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The recent playoff defeat to the Broncos was particularly painful. Allen appeared visibly upset postgame, taking responsibility for an evening where he threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles. McDermott defended Allen, dismissing the notion that the quarterback’s performance alone caused the loss, and expressed frustration over an overturned catch involving receiver Brandin Cooks, a decision made swiftly by officials without extended review.
Buffalo’s three most recent playoff defeats have each been by a margin of three points, and multiple losses occurred in overtime, including the notable 2021 divisional round defeat to Kansas City, remembered for a last-minute comeback by Patrick Mahomes.
Under McDermott, the Bills managed a streak of seven consecutive 10-win regular seasons, including two record-tying 13-win campaigns in the 2022 and 2024 seasons. The team reached the postseason in eight out of his nine years, highlighted by the 2017 playoff qualification that ended a 17-year postseason absence — previously the longest among major North American pro sports.
Throughout McDermott’s era alongside Beane, the Bills gained recognition for organizational stability. This change initiates the team’s first coaching search since McDermott replaced Rex Ryan, who was relieved of duties after two seasons.
Before Buffalo, McDermott served six years as defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers and began his NFL coaching career in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles, climbing to defensive coordinator before departing in 2010.
With Allen approaching 30 years old, the Bills are anticipated to prioritize hiring an offensive-oriented coach to better support the quarterback. Allen's performance dipped this past season, with passing yards and touchdowns reaching their lowest totals since 2019.
The team benefited from running back James Cook’s achievement as the NFL rushing leader — a first for a Bills player since O.J. Simpson in 1976. Nevertheless, the defense faced challenges due to youth and injuries. Although ranked seventh overall in the NFL this season, the defense struggled with run defense and frequently faltered in playoff contests, conceding 30 or more points in four postseason losses.