The Buffalo Bills owner felt his team had hit the proverbial wall and that led to his decision to abruptly fire head coach Sean McDermott.
Speaking to the media during the club’s end-of-season review, Terry Pegula said he made his decision immediately after Saturday’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. He based his decision in part on the disarray he saw among several Bills players in the locker room, including quarterback Josh Allen.
“I saw the pain in Josh’s face during his press conference. I felt his pain, Pegula said. I know we can do better. I know we will improve. »
Pegula then recalled other memorable Bills playoff losses under McDermott.
“I questioned myself about leadership, both on the field and in the locker room. I wondered what we would do about this other elimination failure. That’s why I decided Sean had to leave. »
Pegula was accompanied by general manager Brandon Beane, who was promoted to president of football operations. It is now up to him to hire a first coach since 2017, when McDermott replaced Rex Ryan after two seasons.
The research has already begun. The Bills have several interviews scheduled, including former Giants coach and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll; Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn (who finished the Bills’ 2016 season as interim head coach); as well as their current offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.
Pegula added that Allen had no say in McDermott’s firing, but will play a role in hiring the next head coach.
The owner began his press briefing by praising McDermott, who transformed the franchise which had just experienced 17 consecutive years of exclusion from the winter tournament.
“We all remember that time before Sean came here. He undoubtedly leaves the Buffalo Bills in better condition than when he arrived in 2017. He gave everything to win a championship. »
Despite a 98-50 season record — including seven straight seasons of 10 or more wins — McDermott was unable to do better than 8-8 in the playoffs. Each of the Bills’ last three playoff losses have been decided by three points. What was missing was a Super Bowl appearance: the Bills became the first team to win a playoff game six consecutive years without reaching the final game.
This lack of success in the playoffs ended up getting the better of Pegula’s patience.
“Every year it was the same thing. I couldn’t see Sean continuing in this way anymore, he summed up. Believe me, with all this success (in season), it was not an easy decision to make. But is success making the playoffs for seven years without a Super Bowl? »
