Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott entered the season with a new contract extension and a pristine reputation as one of the best coaches in the NFL. Nearing the end of the 2023 season, McDermott’s future in Buffalo has become an open question.
While the Bills have one of the best point differentials in the NFL, they enter their Week 13 bye with a 6-6 record. Buffalo’s playoff odds are plummeting and after consecutive seasons of playoff disappointment, the franchise seems destined to be even more disappointing this season.
- Sean McDermott coaching record: 68-41 in the regular season with the Buffalo Bills
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Typically in these spots, the head coach of an underperforming team will make small changes to the coaching staff. McDermott already pushed out defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier after the 2022 season, taking over defensive play-calling duties.
Despite having one of the best offenses in the NFL, McDermott fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey in November. Dorsey, an NFL head-coaching candidate, was abruptly fired and replaced by Joe Brady. Buffalo is still losing games, turning up the pressure on McDermott.
According to Tim Graham of The Athletic, there’s “zero” chance the Bills fire McDermott. Months after signing him to a lucrative contract extension through the 2027 season, Buffalo’s head coach appears to be safe and there’s no sense in the organization that a firing is even on the table.
Sources close to the Bills’ owner, Terry Pagula, told The Athletic that there’s no plan nor desire from ownership to make a coaching change. Pegula reportedly still holds McDermott in high regard, no matter how disappointing this season has been.
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- Buffalo Bills defense stats 2023: 319.9 total yards per game allowed (11th), 5.3 yards per play allowed (18th), 52.6% opponents’ red-zone touchdown rate (14th), 38.46 percent third-down conversion rate (16th)
Buffalo’s defense has regressed this season with McDermott as the play-caller, but season-ending injuries to Matt Milano and Tre’Davious White had significant roles in that. The extension and past success might ultimately buy McDermott another year, but he’ll likely be on the hot seat in 2024.