Buffalo, NY The Buffalo Bills have parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons with the team, which brought a level of consistency in their effort to become a Super Bowl winner
According to sources in the NFL, including ESPN journalist Adam Schefter, it appears that this decision was reached on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, less than 48 hours after taking the Bills’ heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss in the AFC Divisional Playoffs from the Denver Broncos.
The general manager, Brandon Beane, will stay within the organization to search for a replacement for McDermott. Buffalo is looking forward to a new era, not to mention the opening of a new stadium in the coming season.
McDermott’s Legacy: Regular-Season Success, Postseason Shortcomings
Sean McDermott, 51, has turned the Bills from consistent underachievers into one of the NFL’s most consistent playoff participants.
During his tenure with Buffalo, Sean McDermott has led his
• The Bills had a regular-season record of 98-50.
• Buffalo made the playoffs eight times in nine years
• McDermott’s squads have won five consecutive AFC East division championships from 2020 to 2024.
• He is second in franchise history for regular season wins. He trails Hall of Famer Marv Levy.
Despite this consistency, the Bills have failed to make it to the Super Bowl in McDermott’s tenure. The Bills have compiled an 8-8 record in the postseason. They have also had many close losses in the postseason, including three consecutive losses in the divisional round of the playoffs that came down to just three points.
“This is the pattern,” he said. “It’s excellent regular-season play, but the postseason is when the frustrations happen. It was one of the deciding factors in us deciding to let the team move on
The Playoff Loss That Sealed McDermott’s Fate
Buffalo’s last matchup for the 2025 season was an exciting showdown for Denver. An overtime interception call, as well as some judgment calls made on the field, sparked controversy for fans, as McDermott addressed the officiating of the game in the post-game press conference.
The Bills’ loss was part of a pattern of playoff close calls that have derailed McDermott’s legacy, despite having MVP Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, playing at an elite level.
Reactions, Context, and What’s Next
This decision has led to very emotional responses throughout the league. NFL insiders called the decision “stunning” and “surprising,” particularly in view of what McDermott has delivered in the Bills community.
While he has yet to make any statements about what he plans to do in the immediate future following the firing, sources say that he plans on coaching again in the future and that he has already been considered for other openings such as Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, or Pittsburgh Steelers who are looking for a new head coach.
Meanwhile, Bills management and fans are presently focused on identifying a coach who can guide a talented roster, which includes Josh Allen, to further stages of the playoff games and ultimately to the Super Bowl.
What That Means for the Bills
It is one of the most consequential coaching changes this NFL offseason, and Sean McDermott’s firing puts Buffalo among those franchises, like the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, that are experiencing major turnover atop their leadership structures.
For Buffalo, the team’s major issues include
• A competitive search for a coach with a deep league-wide market for proven leaders.
• Continuous pressure to capitalize on the prime years of Josh Allen’s career.
• Fan expectations that have risen with sustained success but remain tied to Super Bowl aspirations.
Whether the next coach can finally bring a championship to Western New York remains the central question for Bills faithful this offseason.