Image Source: Sean Leahy
Key Takeaways
- Sean McDermott has been fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills after nine seasons with the team
- McDermott led the Bills to five AFC East division titles and eight playoff appearances, but failed to achieve success in the postseason
- General manager Brandon Beane will lead the search for a new coach and will reportedly stay with the franchise
- The Bills’ next head coach will be expected to lead the team to a Super Bowl title with quarterback Josh Allen under center
- McDermott is unlikely to be out of work for long, with potential opportunities as a head coach or defensive coordinator
Introduction to the Firing of Sean McDermott
The Buffalo Bills have made a significant change in their organization, firing head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons with the team. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, McDermott’s departure comes despite his regular-season success, which included five AFC East division titles and eight playoff appearances. As Rapoport noted, "McDermott will exit the franchise," marking the end of an era for the Bills. McDermott’s tenure was marked by consistent regular-season success, with seven straight double-digit-win seasons. However, the team’s inability to achieve success in the postseason ultimately led to his downfall.
McDermott’s Tenure and Postseason Struggles
During his time with the Bills, McDermott established a perennial top-five offense led by quarterback Josh Allen and a top-10 defense. Despite this dominance on both sides of the ball, the team was unable to reach a Super Bowl. McDermott’s postseason record with the Bills was 8-8, including a pair of losses in the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. The most recent loss came against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs, where the Bills were unable to overcome a controversial interception and pass-interference penalty. As the article notes, "it was a lack of success in the playoffs that led to the Bills making a change." This lack of postseason success ultimately cost McDermott his job, as the team’s ownership and management sought a coach who could lead the team to a Super Bowl title.
Future Prospects for McDermott and the Bills
Given his success with the Bills and his experience as a defensive mind, McDermott is unlikely to be out of work for long. As the article states, "if he can’t secure another head-coaching role this offseason, McDermott should have plenty of options if he’s willing to return to a coordinator role." McDermott’s experience as defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers from 2011-2016 and as a defensive coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2001-2010 make him an attractive candidate for teams looking to improve their defensive units. On the other hand, the Bills will now begin their search for a new head coach, with general manager Brandon Beane leading the charge. With quarterback Josh Allen under center, the Bills should be perennial Super Bowl contenders, and the team’s next head coach will be expected to lead the team to a championship. As the article notes, "the team’s next head coach will have similar expectations as early as Year 1."
The Search for a New Head Coach
The Bills’ search for a new head coach will be a critical one, as the team looks to find a coach who can lead them to a Super Bowl title. With John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski already under contract with new teams, the Bills may have missed their shot at bringing in the most established head coaching talent on the market. As the article states, "the team will have to act quickly if there’s a candidate out there that it desires." The Bills’ next head coach will need to be able to build on the foundation established by McDermott and lead the team to the next level. With Allen under center, the team has the talent and potential to be a Super Bowl contender, and it will be up to the new head coach to realize that potential.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, the firing of Sean McDermott marks the end of an era for the Buffalo Bills. While McDermott achieved significant regular-season success during his tenure, his inability to achieve success in the postseason ultimately led to his downfall. The team’s search for a new head coach will be a critical one, as they look to find a coach who can lead them to a Super Bowl title. With quarterback Josh Allen under center, the Bills should be perennial Super Bowl contenders, and the team’s next head coach will be expected to lead the team to a championship. As the article notes, "McDermott couldn’t lead the team there, and it cost him his job." The Bills’ next head coach will need to be able to build on the foundation established by McDermott and lead the team to the next level.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/bills-reportedly-fire-head-coach-sean-mcdermott-after-9-seasons-142034639.html
