A New Chapter for Sean McDermott
As the Buffalo Bills look forward to the 2026 season, the spotlight has shifted away from Sean McDermott. After leading the team to prominence over nine seasons, he was recently let go, marking a significant change in his career. Now, McDermott is returning to North Carolina, where he spent six years working with the Panthers. In his first true interview since his February firing, he shared insights about his current life and reflections on his time with the Bills.
McDermott spoke with Mike Jones of The Athletic, maintaining a generally positive tone. However, he did express some frustration when discussing the legacy he built in Buffalo. “Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens,” he said. “How many head coaches are able to do it for nine years and really take something, get it turned around, build a culture, break a 17-year playoff drought in the first season, and then go to the playoffs eight out of nine years?”
He emphasized that the accomplishments were not solely his, but a collective effort by the team. “We accomplished a lot. So when you kind of take a step back and go, ‘Hang on here,’ I think perspective is healthy and important, right and powerful, and just be like, ‘Hey, I can’t control the decision.’”
Reflecting on a Successful Era
McDermott’s recent comments highlight the challenges he faced during his tenure with the Bills. While there were issues with his defenses that led to playoff failures, the timing of his firing was particularly difficult. The 2025 season, in particular, was arguably one of his best coaching jobs. He managed to secure 12 wins with a roster that included Josh Allen and James Cook, despite having very few “star” players.
The number of injuries he had to overcome is commendable. Buffalo also won a playoff game for the sixth-straight season. Additionally, McDermott is just two wins away from reaching 100 career regular-season wins, which would place him among the top 45 coaches in NFL history.
A Fair Assessment
Despite his flaws, McDermott’s contributions to the Bills should not be overlooked. It might have made more sense to fire him after moments like “13 seconds” or following the 2024 AFC championship game loss. However, he chose to take the high road, acknowledging the successful franchise that was built in Orchard Park.
“I think a lot of people want the type of relationship we had for a better part of nine years, myself, (general manager) Brandon (Beane), Terry, and I’m extremely grateful to both of them,” said McDermott. “To Terry for the opportunity he gave me, and then working together with Brandon, and I think that organization is in a great spot. … The piece that we control what we can control, that’s really where my focus is.”
