The Buffalo Bills are on track for an uncertain future. Following a divisional round loss to the Denver Broncos, the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott had been with the city of Buffalo for the last nine years, making the playoffs in eight of those seasons. While never reaching the Super Bowl, the Bills consistently won, making his firing even more confusing for fans and players alike. Multiple Bills players took to social media to thank the coach for his work, referring to him as “a leader among men” for building a winning culture in Buffalo.
The game at Mile High was far from perfect for the Bills, especially on the offensive side of the ball, as they committed a whopping five turnovers—one of which became one of the most controversial calls of the divisional round. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks in which Cooks’ knee was down by contact, but a Broncos defender stripped the ball out of his hands, and the play was ruled an interception. This call sparked major controversy, as the following day, very similar plays were ruled completions in the Bears–Rams and Patriots–Texans games. Instead of reviewing the play, the referees moved the process forward. McDermott was unable to throw a challenge flag because the game was sent into overtime by a massive 50-yard field goal from 41-year-old kicker Matt Prater.
That call was not the only one that went against Buffalo. Two pass interference calls favored the Broncos, placing them in field goal range and ultimately allowing them to win the game. Once again, the city of Buffalo was left disappointed by a crushing postseason performance. In eight of the last nine years, the Bills have made the playoffs but have yet to reach the Super Bowl, even with 2024 MVP Josh Allen under center.
Following the heartbreaking loss, Allen tearfully took responsibility, saying, “I feel like I let my teammates down tonight. You can’t win with five turnovers.” His sentiment was not echoed by McDermott, who openly criticized the officiating. “It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled,” McDermott said. He went even further, adding, “I’m saying it because I’m standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I’m standing up for us.”
McDermott’s firing appears to have been fueled by a blame game, as he was seemingly used as a scapegoat. Reports surfaced that McDermott had called out major holes in the roster, particularly along the defensive line and at wide receiver. The defensive line struggled to stop the run all season, while the wide receiver group was underwhelming. Additionally, Bills owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane held a press conference in which they further placed blame on the former coach. Pegula claimed McDermott was fired because the locker room was devastated by the loss. Together, Pegula and Beane also placed responsibility for drafting wide receiver Keon Coleman—widely considered a draft bust—on the coaching staff. Coleman remains on the active roster, making Pegula’s decision to single him out even more questionable.
While the Bills’ future appears uncertain, the position remains one of the most coveted head coaching jobs this offseason due to the significant talent on the roster. However, potential candidates may be wary of questionable ownership decisions and a lack of accountability at the top. Buffalo must nail its draft picks this offseason and come roaring back next year—something that remains possible due to the winning culture that has been established and the grit the Bills will rely on to overcome not only their opponents, but the officiating that never seems to go their way.
