Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott issued an apology on Thursday following revelations from Tyler Dunne that McDermott used the 9/11 terrorists as an example of good teamwork during a 2021 team meeting. The remark apparently won’t have any influence on his job security.
McDermott, age 49, made the reference during a team meeting while attempting to remind the team about the importance of working together. He specifically wanted examples from the players on what obstacles the 9/11 terrorists faced on the path to their goal.
- Sean McDermott coaching record: 68-41 with Buffalo Bills, 4-5 in the playoffs
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The comment was not well-received by the team, with at least one player attributing it to McDermott’s awkwardness and his “lacking” social skills. He issued a private apology to the team on Thursday and expressed regret while speaking to reporters during his press conference.
Many believed McDermott was already on the NFL coaching hot seat before the revelations. He fired defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier after the 2022 season and the defense has worsened. Meanwhile, McDermott fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey midseason. Despite the turmoil around him and the offensive remark, it seems McDermott is safe.
“I’m told the 9/11 anecdote is “old news” within One Bills Drive, to the point it has become a running interoffice joke. Not that the metaphor was even remotely OK, but it’s been digested and processed (pun intended, I suppose) and a distant memory that’s been learned from.”
Buffalo Bills reporter Tim Graham on Sean McDermott’s job security
Importantly, per Graham, the entire story on McDermott hasn’t changed how the Bills’ organization views the head coach. While there’s agreement that McDermott’s comment was embarrassing and there are ways he can improve, the reporting by Tyler Dunne “doesn’t move the needle” on McDermott’s job status.
It’s not the first report signaling that McDermott has strong support within the organization. At the start of December, amid speculation that McDermott was on the hot seat, reporting made it clear that McDermott has the full backing of Bills’ ownership.
Related: Buffalo Bills’ Sean McDermott apologizes for 9/11 comment
The fact that it was a running joke inside the Bills’ organization makes it clear everyone knew about it and the revelation was primarily news to the public. Buffalo could’ve used this moment as part of its rationale to fire McDermott, but it seems his job is safe.
Even with the Bills poised to miss the playoffs, it’s apparent that McDermott will return in 2024. Considering all of the coaching changes he’s already made this year alone, next season could be his last to prove himself.
