Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills have made a seismic change in leadership within the organization.
After nine seasons that saw the team break a 17-year playoff drought, record a 98-50 regular season record, make seven-straight playoff appearances and earn five-consecutive AFC East titles, the Bills have fired head coach Sean McDermott.
"Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past 9 seasons," said team owner Terry Pegula in a statement on Monday. "But I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level. We owe that to our players and to 'Bills Mafia'.
"Sean helped change the mindset of this organization and was instrumental in the Bills becoming a perennial playoff team. I respect all the work, loyalty and attention to detail he showed for this team and the community. I wish Sean, Jamie and his family all the best."
The firing comes two days after the Bills' 2025 season came to an end on Saturday in the AFC Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos. That game saw the offense tally five total turnovers, but still be in a position to win the game in overtime.
After an interception thrown by quarterback Josh Allen nearly halfway through overtime, Denver was able to stretch the field in a little more than three minutes to kick the game-winning field goal and end Buffalo's campaign.
Related
McDermott oversaw one of the most successful stretch of Bills football since being hired as head coach in 2017. His 98 regular season wins are second in team history behind Hall-of-Famer Marv Levy, and also finished second to Levy for the most playoff victories in franchise history.
McDermott flipped the perception of the Bills organization almost immediately from being a lowly team in one of the longest playoff droughts in the modern era, to a championship contender year-in and year-out.
Despite the regular season success and playoff appearances in eight of his nine years in Buffalo, McDermott finishes with an 8-8 record in the postseason, which includes two appearances in the AFC Championship Game - both being losses to the Kansas City Chiefs.
From 2020-24, McDermott helped lead the Bills to five-consecutive AFC East titles. That streak of divisional success ended this season when Buffalo finished second to the New England Patriots.
Moving forward, it will be general manager Brandon Beane leading the search for a new head coach. In addition, Beane will also serve in the title of President of Football Operations.
"Brandon will oversee all facets of our football operation, including the oversight of our coaching staff," Pegula added in his statement. "I have full faith in and have witnessed Brandon's outstanding leadership style, and have confidence in his abilities to lead our organization."
Beane will be working directly with Pegula and Pete Guelli, who will now serve as President of Business Operations, during the interview and hiring process.
Related
