Buffalo Bills Fire Sean McDermott After 9 Seasons Despite Playoff Success
Buffalo Bills fire head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons. McDermott led the Bills to eight playoff appearances but failed to reach a Super Bowl.
Bills fire head coach Sean McDermott after 9 seasons, AP sources say
Bills FIRE Sean McDermott After 9 Seasons - What Went Wrong?
SHOCKING: Bills Fire Coach Sean McDermott After 9 Years Despite 98 Wins
The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons, marking a significant shift for the franchise on Monday. The move comes after the Bills lost in overtime to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round on Saturday, continuing a pattern of playoff heartbreak for the organization.
The End of an Era in Buffalo
Bills owner Terry Pegula said, "Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past 9 seasons. But I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level." McDermott was hired by the Bills on January 11, 2017, and led Buffalo to the playoffs eight times and won five AFC East division titles.
Despite his accomplishments, the change will lead to reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen, 29, having a new coach for the first time in his professional career. The firing represents a bold organizational decision that surprised many in the NFL community, particularly given McDermott's successful tenure.
Regular Season Success vs. Postseason Struggles
McDermott's record with the Bills tells a story of regular-season dominance masked by postseason disappointment. Despite regular-season success — seven straight double-digit-win seasons — it was a lack of success in the playoffs that led to the Bills making a change. McDermott's Bills went 8-8 in the postseason, including a pair of losses in the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bills' 91 victories, including playoffs, from the 2019 through the 2025 seasons are the most over a seven-season span without a Super Bowl appearance, and it extended their record of the most wins in a seven-season span without a Super Bowl appearance, including playoffs (91).
McDermott's Legacy and Franchise Transformation
Prior to McDermott's hire, the Bills hadn't reached the playoffs since the 1999 season. "Sean helped change the mindset of this organization and was instrumental in the Bills becoming a perennial playoff team," Pegula said. The coach transformed Buffalo from a franchise in crisis into a consistent playoff contender.
Under McDermott, Buffalo did transform from a forgotten franchise to regular AFC contender. His first season in 2017 snapped the Bills' 18-year playoff drought, and they were a regular fixture in January over the next nine years.
Organizational Changes and the Search for a New Coach
Pegula said that "Brandon Beane will now serve as the President of Football Operations / General Manager of the Buffalo Bills. Brandon will oversee all facets of our football operation, including the oversight of our coaching staff". Beane, promoted from his role as general manager, will lead the search for McDermott's replacement.
The Bills will now move forward as the 10th team needing a new head coach for 2026. The New York Giants (John Harbaugh) and Atlanta Falcons (Kevin Stefanski) have already hired their new leaders, leaving eight teams (including the Bills) still with vacant positions. The competitive job market presents both opportunities and challenges for Buffalo's coaching search.
What's Next for McDermott and the Bills
McDermott told his staff on Monday that he intends to continue coaching, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Besides the Bills, seven NFL teams currently have coaching vacancies: Miami, Tennessee, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Arizona and Cleveland. The veteran coach should find considerable interest around the league despite the firing.
Given his success with the Bills, and as a defensive mind, McDermott is unlikely to be out of work for long. If he can't secure another head-coaching role this offseason, McDermott should have plenty of options if he's willing to return to a coordinator role.
Mixed Reactions from the Locker Room
The firing was not universally praised within the Bills organization. Defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and DaQuan Jones showed their frustration at McDermott's firing in Instagram story posts. "This s--- here is so stupid honestly sickening," Phillips posted. "The best coach I've ever been around."
The decision to part with McDermott represents the organization's commitment to pursuing a Super Bowl championship with Allen under center. The Bills job immediately vaults to the top of the list of job openings, given their recent history and Josh Allen's long-term presence.
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