Entering Week 6, the Buffalo Bills are holding dearly onto first place in the AFC East with a record of 3-2 and are coming off two-straight losses after beginning the season on fire.
In a recent column over at ESPN, a pair of insiders decided to tackle the topic of head coach Sean McDermott potentially being on the hot seat, or worse, eventually fired.
Both Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano discussed the fact that they've been asked on a few different occasions about a possible head coaching opening in Buffalo, starting with the former.
"Is it time to start talking about Sean McDermott after Buffalo's Week 5 debacle in Houston, Dan? I got multiple texts from people involved in the hiring cycle asking whether McDermott would be on the hot seat. I replied that I hadn't sensed that, but Sunday's ending -- a 23-20 loss -- was simply not good," wrote Fowler.
Graziano responded by acknowledging that he has indeed received several messages in regards to McDermott being on the hot seat:
"Yessir, the texts are certainly flying on that one. The Buffalo job is definitely the early leader for "Job that potential head coach candidates and their agents hope comes open."
Graziano went on to note that he's heard of McDermott potentially being in trouble multiple times over the last couple of seasons:
"I'll say what I've said whenever this has come up over the past couple of years. I have heard many on the outside speculate McDermott could be in trouble if the Bills keep failing to reach the Super Bowl, but I have never once heard from inside the Bills' organization that moving on from him has ever been a consideration.
"Could that change? Heck yeah it could, and if it does, prospective coaches will be lining up for a chance to work with Josh Allen and work for ultra-rich, patient ownership,"
He's got a point, there, for sure. The Bills' head coaching opening might be the most attractive out of any potential 2025 openings. But, that's assuming the team doesn't turn things the right way.
Starting Week 6, the Bills have a strong chance to turn the tides
On Monday Night Football, the Bills have a tough divisional opponent in the New York Jets. That's not going to be an easy game, especially considering the Jets just fired Robert Saleh and their defense has been a phenomenal unit.
But, if the Bills can escape with a win, they're entering the next month with four very winnable games:
vs. Tennessee Titans
@ Seattle Seahawks
vs. Miami Dolphins
@ Indianapolis Colts
Currently, four of their above five opponents have a losing record, the Jets included. Looking at the Bills, on paper, they should be better than what they are at the moment. Josh Allen should be better than he's been in recent games. This is a team that's far from out of it, and closer to being a top team in the AFC than they are toward the bottom.
It all depends on whether or not they can get back on a roll over the next several weeks. If they can, then McDermott will not have anything to worry about.
However, if the Bills struggle and continue to come up short of their Super Bowl aspirations, do not be surprised if McDermott is unseated in the next couple of months.
Maybe, just maybe, trading for a certain star wide receiver could do the trick.