In a surprising turn of events, former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has reportedly shifted his stance on an immediate return to NFL coaching following his dramatic dismissal last week. Initially telling staff he would coach again right away, McDermott now appears likely to take a year-long hiatus from the league.
Shocking Exit from Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills sent shockwaves through the National Football League when owner Terry Pegula terminated McDermott's contract last Monday. This decisive move came in the aftermath of the team's playoff defeat to the Denver Broncos, which brought an abrupt end to McDermott's nine-season tenure in Western New York.
With multiple head coaching positions available across the league at the time of his departure, McDermott would have been presented with numerous options for an immediate return to the sidelines. However, after taking time to reflect on his next career move, the experienced coach seems inclined toward stepping back from the game temporarily.
Insider Insights on McDermott's Decision
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport provided crucial context during an appearance on NFL Network, stating: 'McDermott, no doubt, would be one of the top candidates for basically any job around if he wanted to take one.'
Rapoport elaborated further, revealing: 'It remains unclear what Sean McDermott will firmly decide to do but to my knowledge, has not engaged on any of these openings. And based on the conversations he's had and the people he's talked with who have taken a year off after a long head coaching stint, all have said it was beneficial and worth it.'
The insider concluded with a telling prediction: 'We shall see if that is the way McDermott goes but I believe it is likely that he ends up taking a year off.'
Available Coaching Opportunities
As of Tuesday morning, three significant head coaching vacancies remained available across the NFL outside of the Buffalo position:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Arizona Cardinals
- Cleveland Browns
The Raiders position might have particularly appealed to McDermott, given that the franchise holds the coveted number one pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While any new coach would face a substantial rebuilding challenge following Pete Carroll's departure, the opportunity to construct a team from the ground up represents a significant professional draw.
Despite these attractive opportunities, the fifty-one-year-old McDermott has not conducted any interviews for available positions, with all indications pointing toward his decision to take extended time away from coaching responsibilities.
Buffalo's Search for Successor
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills organization faces considerable challenges in their quest to identify McDermott's replacement. The search has encountered several setbacks, including Mike McDaniel canceling a second interview before accepting the offensive coordinator position with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Additional developments in Buffalo's coaching search include:
- Philip Rivers impressing during interviews before declaring he wasn't yet prepared for head coaching responsibilities
- Current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady interviewing for the head coach position while also holding discussions with the Las Vegas Raiders about their vacancy
- Multiple candidates remaining in contention, including former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn
Quarterback Involvement and Future Prospects
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, visibly emotional following the playoff defeat to Denver, has played an active role in the search for McDermott's successor. The new head coach will inherit the opportunity to guide Allen through the next phase of his career, with the ultimate goal of securing the franchise's first Super Bowl victory.
The timing of this coaching transition coincides with significant organizational developments, as the Bills prepare to move into their new state-of-the-art stadium. The 2026 season will mark the team's departure from Highmark Stadium to their impressive new $2.2 billion venue, adding another layer of importance to this critical hiring decision.
