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Quick success or long upheaval?
McDermott has to go! What’s next in Buffalo?
The Buffalo Bills’ elimination against the Denver Broncos was just two days ago. Now those in charge in Buffalo are drawing serious consequences: After nine seasons as head coach, Sean McDermott was fired this Monday! And while general manager Brandon Beane looks for a successor, Buffalo is looking forward to a landmark offseason. How big are the Bills’ problems? How close are you to the longed-for first Super Bowl triumph in franchise history?
It could have been, maybe even should have been, the year of the Buffalo Bills. In a season in which both the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are watching the postseason from afar, the path to happiness for the Bills has never seemed clearer. However, with the best quarterback among all AFC playoff participants, the reigning rushing leader, a strong pass defense and the momentum of a wild card round win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo’s dreams were shattered last Saturday.
On the heels of a 30:33 defeat, the Bills are now pulling the ripcord: 51-year-old Sean McDermott is released with immediate effect. Buffalo joins a long, illustrious list of franchises that parted ways with their main manager this year.
The crucial numbers don’t lie
Ever since John Harbaugh was fired in Baltimore, it has been clear that hardly any job in the NFL is safe in this coaching cycle. A total of ten teams have parted ways with their head coach during this year’s NFL season. More than ever. For the Bills, the dismissal of McDermott ends an era that was characterized on the one hand by a glorious rise and on the other by failed expectations.
It took McDermott just two years as head coach of the Bills to replace the New England Patriots as king of the AFC East and in turn usher in five years of Buffalo dominance. During that time, the Bills always won at least eleven games and at least one playoff duel per season. Remarkable: Of his 148 games as head coach, he won an impressive 98. What’s more important for many: McDermott war Buffalo, identified with the city, the people, and above all, the identity of the franchise.
However, what finally fell on the 51-year-old in 2026 was the results-oriented nature that can sometimes make the National Football League a tough business. The sobering playoff record of 8-8 speaks for itself. Language that says that while the Bills were consistently good, they never got there. It felt like someone was always better – often the kryptonite from Kansas City – or supposedly game-winning calls from the referees didn’t go in your own favor.
After nine seasons, and therefore nine chances, these excuses seem to have lost their effectiveness. Especially when you consider that McDermott has had one of the best quarterbacks in the league in his ranks over the years. So how big a role did the 51-year-old really play in Buffalo’s success?
Attractive job or padded ejection seat?
While McDermott has already stated that he wants to continue working as a coach, a new era is now beginning for the Bills. Two of the best-known names, Kevin Stefanski and John Harbaugh, are off the market, and other candidates are already in advanced discussions with other teams. Similar to the Ravens, the Bills naturally remain an attractive employer – especially because of their quarterback personnel. However, this is offset by the high bar called the “Super Bowl”.
And this in an era in which the Chiefs are repositioning themselves, Baltimore and Cincinnati are still dangerous, and new opponents like New England and Denver are already lurking. There is no time for a new beginning. Rather, someone is needed who is convinced that with the core of this team – Allen, Cook, Dawkins, Oliver, etc. – they can lift the trophy into the night sky in two years at the latest.
“The Bills are what they are,” said NFL insider Adam Shefter, for example, describing the squad situation in Buffalo. “Whoever takes this job knows the limited cap space, the strengths and weaknesses of the roster and what is expected in the shortest possible time.” Some would say luxury problems. The others see a roster that is one of the better in the AFC, but has little potential to become the best.
With the loss to the Broncos, the Bills are still waiting for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1993. Even more telling, no team has had as many wins in a seven-year window as Buffalo – 91 – without appearing in the final once. And yes, many a game-winning call in recent years has gone against the Bills. The truth is, however, that the team had, through various mistakes, put itself in the situation where such calls even became significant.
The question remains to be clarified as to where the franchise is headed with the passionate fan base, the reigning “Most Valuable Player” and the reasonable reputation of finally achieving the big hit. If you believe the decisions of those responsible, you will start seamlessly in 2026 where you were forced to stop on Saturday against Denver. It also seems likely that with the end of Sean McDermott and the end of the legendary Highmark Stadium, the time in which the Buffalo Bills’ “championship window” was wide open will also end. Partially slammed by the competition, but primarily by the Bills themselves.
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