Sean McDermott was released after the Buffalo Bills’ playoff exit. Quarterback Josh Allen now gave an insight into his emotional world.
An era ended in Buffalo with the firing of Sean McDermott. He was the Bills’ head coach from 2017. In the nine NFL seasons he led the team to the playoffs eight times, but never to the Super Bowl despite the best conditions at the time.
The most recent defeat in the Divisional Round at the Denver Broncos was one too many – McDermott had to go. Another part of his tenure is the development of Josh Allen into one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
The MVP of the 2024 season reacted correspondingly emotionally to the departure of his long-time coach and sponsor.
As Allen explained, Bills owner Terry Pegula informed him of the move by phone. He then became “very, very emotional,” said Allen, who called McDermott.
Allen: Nothing but love and respect for McDermott
“I have nothing but love and respect for him. Over the past eight seasons, eight years of my life, he’s been with me through ups and downs – as a player, but also as a person. He’s watched me grow up in a way,” Allen said.
He emphasized that he felt like he had a part in the development. “Because if I make one more play in this game in Denver, then we probably won’t be sitting here at this press conference. Then we probably wouldn’t have made any changes and would be preparing for the next game,” emphasized Allen.
Accepting that is the hardest part. “But that’s the reality. That’s how it is now. And I’m still very, very grateful to Coach McDermott for everything he’s done for me and for the path he’s laid out for our players here,” added the 29-year-old.
Bills: Allen is looking forward to new vision
McDermott’s successor has already been determined in Joe Brady. Despite the emotions, Allen is looking forward to the new head coach, who was previously the offensive coordinator.
“I believe in that vision,” Allen said. “I believe in what he’s talked about in the meetings and what he’s talked about over the past few years when he’s been in the quarterback room – especially his mindset and that sense of community. He’s a family man, he’s a leader. And I think our players will respond very positively to him.”
