The Buffalo Bills have made a surprise move, firing longtime head coach Sean McDermott just two days after the team's elimination from the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion. According to sources with direct knowledge of the decision, McDermott's tenure has come to an abrupt end after nine seasons of underwhelming postseason performances.
McDermott had transformed the franchise into a perennial contender during his time at the helm, boasting a 98-50 regular-season record and an 8-8 playoff resume. While he ranks second on the team list in wins behind Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, who won 112 games over 11 seasons, McDermott's inability to guide the team to the Super Bowl has been his greatest weakness.
Josh Allen, who broke many passing and scoring records set by Jim Kelly during the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s, has not been able to lead the team to sustained postseason success. Despite reaching the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, Buffalo has advanced only twice to the AFC championship game – both times falling short against Kansas City.
McDermott's playoff losses have been particularly telling, with three of his final seven seasons ending in heartbreaking overtime defeats, including a 2021 loss that became infamous as "13 seconds" due to Patrick Mahomes' timely heroics. The team's inability to close out games has been a recurring theme throughout McDermott's tenure.
While McDermott oversaw some impressive regular-season performances, including two team-record matching 13-win seasons in 2022 and 2024, his playoff inconsistencies ultimately proved too much for the organization to overlook.
McDermott had transformed the franchise into a perennial contender during his time at the helm, boasting a 98-50 regular-season record and an 8-8 playoff resume. While he ranks second on the team list in wins behind Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, who won 112 games over 11 seasons, McDermott's inability to guide the team to the Super Bowl has been his greatest weakness.
Josh Allen, who broke many passing and scoring records set by Jim Kelly during the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s, has not been able to lead the team to sustained postseason success. Despite reaching the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, Buffalo has advanced only twice to the AFC championship game – both times falling short against Kansas City.
McDermott's playoff losses have been particularly telling, with three of his final seven seasons ending in heartbreaking overtime defeats, including a 2021 loss that became infamous as "13 seconds" due to Patrick Mahomes' timely heroics. The team's inability to close out games has been a recurring theme throughout McDermott's tenure.
While McDermott oversaw some impressive regular-season performances, including two team-record matching 13-win seasons in 2022 and 2024, his playoff inconsistencies ultimately proved too much for the organization to overlook.
I'm not sure about firing Sean McDermott so soon after all he's done for the Bills 
. He's got some great regular-season records, but playoffs are a whole different story, right? 8-8 isn't bad, but it's just not enough to take the team to the Super Bowl 
. I think Josh Allen needs to be more clutch when it comes down to it – can't have your QB leading the charge and then faltering in crunch time 
. Still, you gotta respect McDermott for getting the Bills this far... 9 seasons isn't nothing! 
. And don't even get me started on the '13 seconds' game - what a bummer 
. I guess you can't win it all, right? McDermott's got some solid credentials, but playoffs are a whole different story, man 
. Josh Allen's got all these records broken by Jim Kelly, so I'm not sure what's holding him back from making a deep run in the playoffs 
. But yeah, playoff losses can be tough to swallow, especially when it feels like you're so close but just can't quite get over the hump 
i mean, that 98-50 record looks great on paper but what's the use if they can't even win it all? 
also, why did they wait till two days after the playoffs to fire him? seems kinda impulsive to me... 
Sean McDermott's firing is like, totally unexpected! I mean, I know he didn't lead the team to a Super Bowl, but still... 
Josh Allen has all the talent in the world and we just can't get it together! 
Can we get a new coach already and bring home that Super Bowl?! 
. He did build up that team and get some solid wins, but yeah, playoff games are a whole different story 
. McDermott's tenure may be over, but I'm hoping this change brings about some positive changes for the Bills in the future 
.