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Sean McDermott spent nine years building something in Buffalo. Now he’s looking for his next opportunity after the Bills moved on from him in January.
The dismissal came after a divisional round overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, ending a tenure that started back in 2017. McDermott entered the NFL as a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 and never went without a job until now.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza shares his vision for the perfect 2026 NFL Draft night
The timing caught him off guard. Most coaches at this stage of the offseason are knee-deep in draft preparation and roster planning. McDermott is doing something different. Reflecting and recalibrating.
He spoke with The Athletic recently, first time after owner Terry Pegula made the decision, and his tone didn’t carry bitterness.
McDermott focused on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on how things ended. He talked about growth, asking the right questions, and staying sharp in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone.
“When you stop asking questions, that’s when you get yourself into trouble,” McDermott said. “People who are leaders, who think they have all the answers and aren’t asking questions, are the ones, I feel like, that run into trouble sooner or later, just in terms of not being the best versions of themselves.
“So, I’m passionate about that; passionate about growing and evolving, and I think the NFL is so competitive, and you’ve got to be continually asking yourself, ‘What, why, how?’ If you want to continue to be successful, it’s in the margins.”
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott before the game against the New York Jets. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
MORE: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry share honest reactions to Ravens’ 2026 NFL season uniform
The timing of his exit didn’t help. Most head coaching vacancies filled before Buffalo’s playoff run wrapped up, which limited McDermott’s immediate options. Still, he’s not shutting down what could come later.
McDermott pointed to what he accomplished during his time with the Bills. He took over a franchise that went 17 years without a playoff appearance and flipped the script immediately.
Buffalo made the postseason in his first year and became a regular contender after that. Staying with one team for nine seasons isn’t common in today’s NFL, and McDermott leaned on that track record as proof of what he and the organization built together.
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The dismissal came after a divisional round overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, ending a tenure that started back in 2017. McDermott entered the NFL as a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 and never went without a job until now.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza shares his vision for the perfect 2026 NFL Draft night
The timing caught him off guard. Most coaches at this stage of the offseason are knee-deep in draft preparation and roster planning. McDermott is doing something different. Reflecting and recalibrating.
Sean McDermott addresses Buffalo Bills exit
He spoke with The Athletic recently, first time after owner Terry Pegula made the decision, and his tone didn’t carry bitterness.
McDermott focused on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on how things ended. He talked about growth, asking the right questions, and staying sharp in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone.
“When you stop asking questions, that’s when you get yourself into trouble,” McDermott said. “People who are leaders, who think they have all the answers and aren’t asking questions, are the ones, I feel like, that run into trouble sooner or later, just in terms of not being the best versions of themselves.
“So, I’m passionate about that; passionate about growing and evolving, and I think the NFL is so competitive, and you’ve got to be continually asking yourself, ‘What, why, how?’ If you want to continue to be successful, it’s in the margins.”
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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott before the game against the New York Jets. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
MORE: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry share honest reactions to Ravens’ 2026 NFL season uniform
The timing of his exit didn’t help. Most head coaching vacancies filled before Buffalo’s playoff run wrapped up, which limited McDermott’s immediate options. Still, he’s not shutting down what could come later.
McDermott pointed to what he accomplished during his time with the Bills. He took over a franchise that went 17 years without a playoff appearance and flipped the script immediately.
Buffalo made the postseason in his first year and became a regular contender after that. Staying with one team for nine seasons isn’t common in today’s NFL, and McDermott leaned on that track record as proof of what he and the organization built together.
Continue reading...
