The internal strife that ultimately led to the dismissal of Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott had been simmering for weeks, according to a revealing new report. The 51-year-old coach was officially relieved of his duties on Monday, bringing an end to his nine-season tenure with the franchise.
The Crushing Playoff Loss That Sealed His Fate
McDermott's firing came just days after the Bills suffered a gut-wrenching overtime defeat to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. However, sources now indicate that his fate had been effectively sealed long before that devastating loss in Denver.
A Contentious Meeting Five Weeks Prior
WGRZ-TV reported on Tuesday that the relationship between McDermott and Bills ownership began to deteriorate approximately five weeks before his dismissal. The coach reportedly met with team owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane, during which McDermott pointedly outlined what he believed the roster lacked to win a Super Bowl.
This assessment did not sit well with either Pegula or Beane, according to the report. The contentious nature of this meeting aligns with earlier speculation this month that McDermott's future would be uncertain if the team failed to at least reach the Super Bowl this season.
Mounting Pressure and Playoff Expectations
ESPN analyst Adam Schefter had previously highlighted McDermott's precarious position during a segment, noting that questions about the coach's future would inevitably arise if Buffalo struggled in the playoffs. "People have brought his name up," Schefter said. "What would happen with Sean McDermott if the Bills don't win the Super Bowl?"
This season presented what many viewed as the Bills' best opportunity to finally break through, with traditional AFC powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals all failing to make the postseason. The failure to capitalize on this opening proved costly for McDermott.
A Legacy of Near Misses
McDermott's tenure in Buffalo was marked by consistent regular-season success but postseason frustration. He reached the playoffs in seven of his eight full campaigns, transforming the Bills into perennial contenders. However, his teams suffered three divisional round defeats, two wild card exits, and two heartbreaking losses in AFC Championship games to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 and 2024.
Despite turning the franchise around from its prolonged playoff drought, McDermott could never deliver the ultimate prize that Buffalo fans have desperately awaited since their last Super Bowl appearance in the 1990s.
Organizational Changes and Moving Forward
In announcing McDermott's dismissal on Monday, Terry Pegula simultaneously revealed that general manager Brandon Beane had been promoted to president of football operations. Beane will now oversee his first coaching search since arriving in Buffalo five months after McDermott was originally hired to replace Rex Ryan.
McDermott released a heartfelt statement to fans following the decision, expressing gratitude for his nearly decade-long opportunity. "For nearly a decade I have had the opportunity to wake up every morning as the Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, which has truly been a gift," he wrote.
He went on to thank the Pegula family, the organization, and Bills Mafia for their support, noting how the community had embraced his family and helped raise his children over nine years. "I always wanted our teams to play with the same level of toughness and grit that is true to Buffalo," McDermott added, signing off with appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
The emotional aftermath was visible on the field as well, with star quarterback Josh Allen left in tears following the playoff elimination that ultimately triggered this coaching change. As the Bills organization now looks toward a new chapter, the revelations about internal tensions in the weeks leading to McDermott's departure provide crucial context for this significant franchise transition.
