The Buffalo Bills let go of their longtime coach shortly after their playoff exit, and some earlier things in the season may have played a factor.
It was a firing that shocked the NFL world the morning after the Buffalo Bills’ playoff exit when the team let go of head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons. He went 98-50 in the regular season and 8-8 in the playoffs, capping that off with an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round on Sunday. Apparently, however, it was a decision that may have roots dating back to Week 5, when WGRZ's Vic Carucci reports that Bills GM Brandon Beane and owner Terry Pegula had a meeting with the then-head coach.
They were reportedly displeased with McDermott pointing out the holes on the roster to win a Super Bowl. That was something that Buffalo never reached with McDermott, despite only finishing under .500 one time. He also decidedly had the locker room behind him, with multiple players reacting in a state of shock behind their former coach, who is expected to be a hot commodity now in the coaching vacancies across the league.
Here is the full story from Bills Roundtable writer Ashish Mathur on the events that led to the eventual firing and what’s next for Buffalo.
It should be a desirable opening, with a contending roster led by 2024 MVP quarterback Josh Allen. The question is, if not McDermott, then who can help Buffalo get over the hump and get to the Super Bowl? It may be easier said than done to replace one of the better football minds in the league. But it’s not a difficult vacancy to find desirable candidates to fill.