The Buffalo Bills have joined the NFL’s wild coaching carousel this offseason after firing head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons. Buffalo was stone-walled in the postseason too often, leaving the top decision makers with no other option but to move on.
Of course, the Bills begin their search for their next head coach, and options who pair well with Josh Allen will certainly be under heavy consideration. Nonetheless, the next head coach will be under some considerable pressure to follow up McDermott, who won a playoff game in each of the past six seasons.
That’s quite the feather in McDermott’s resume cap, one that not many head coaches around the league can boast. With seven other openings around the league, the 51-year-old defensive mind might not have to wait long to find his next home in the NFL.
Sean McDermott’s message to his staff signals what comes next after Buffalo Bills firing
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, McDermott informer his coaching staff he intends to continue coaching, opening the door for teams around the league to add him to the list of potential candidates.
A third of the league has moved on from their head coaches this offseason, but only the New York Giants, with John Harbaugh, and the Atlanta Falcons, with Kevin Stefanski, have filled their positions. Of course, the seven other teams have been on the carousel for a time and have already begun conducting interviews and narrowing down their candidates.
Here’s a list of the teams who still have openings:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Miami Dolphins
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tennessee Titans
- Arizona Cardinals
McDermott becoming available obviously throws a wrench into some of those teams’ plans. Certainly, teams to watch include the Ravens and Steelers, two perennial playoff contenders where McDermott could stand a solid chance of picking up where their previous regimes left off.
Naturally, Bills Mafia also eyes the Miami opening, as McDermott landing in South Beach would just add to the nightmare. Luckily, the Dolphins appear to be closing in on Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Bills fans just have to hope they Dolphins don’t abruptly change course with McDermott available.
Nonetheless, Bills Mafia needs to prepare themselves for a chaotic few weeks ahead as the Bills and McDermott open their next chapters.