ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have officially fired head coach Sean McDermott following nine seasons in charge, ending one of the most successful regular-season runs in franchise history but one that never resulted in a Super Bowl appearance.
The decision comes after Buffalo’s 33–30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round, marking the fourth divisional-round playoff exit in the last five seasons for the Bills. Despite consistent postseason appearances, the organization determined a leadership change was necessary to reach the ultimate goal — winning a Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills Leadership Change: Brandon Beane Promoted
Alongside McDermott’s dismissal, the Bills promoted general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations, expanding his control over all football decisions. Beane will lead the Buffalo Bills head coach search as the team prepares for the opening of its new stadium next season.
Bills owner Terry Pegula acknowledged McDermott’s contributions while explaining the move.
“Sean has done an admirable job leading our football team for the past nine seasons,” Pegula said. “But we believe a new leadership structure gives the Buffalo Bills the best opportunity to take the next step.”
Sean McDermott’s Record With the Buffalo Bills
McDermott leaves Buffalo with a 98–50 regular-season record and an 8–8 playoff record, ranking second in the NFL in wins during his tenure. He guided the Bills to:
Five straight AFC East titles (2020–2024) Two AFC Championship Game appearances Eight playoff wins An end to Buffalo’s 18-year playoff drought in 2017
However, postseason struggles defined his exit. The Bills went 0–3 in playoff overtime games under McDermott and lost two AFC Championship Games to the Kansas City Chiefs, reinforcing concerns about Buffalo’s inability to advance to the Super Bowl.
Josh Allen Faces First Coaching Change of His Career
The firing marks a major turning point for quarterback Josh Allen, who will have a new head coach for the first time in his NFL career. Allen, entering his ninth NFL season, holds the record for the most playoff wins and starts by a quarterback without a Super Bowl appearance in the Super Bowl era.
Despite a slight statistical dip in 2024, Allen remains the centerpiece of Buffalo’s championship window, making the coaching hire a critical decision for the franchise’s future.
Players React to McDermott’s Firing
Several Bills players publicly expressed frustration over the move. Defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and DaQuan Jones criticized the decision on social media, praising McDermott’s leadership and impact on the locker room.
Defensive Success and Postseason Concerns
Under McDermott, the Bills defense ranked among the NFL’s best, allowing just 20.2 points per game in the regular season during his tenure. However, those numbers declined significantly in road playoff games, where Buffalo went 1–7, surrendering nearly 29 points per game.
While the 2024 defense finished as the NFL’s top pass defense, persistent issues stopping the run continued to surface in key postseason moments.
What’s Next for Sean McDermott and the Bills?
McDermott has indicated he plans to continue coaching and is expected to be a strong candidate for several NFL head coaching vacancies, including teams like Miami, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Cleveland.
For the Buffalo Bills, the focus now shifts to maximizing Josh Allen’s prime, ending the franchise’s Super Bowl drought, and finding a head coach capable of delivering the team’s first championship since the early 1990s.
