Former Bills coach Sean McDermott breaks silence on his sudden firing

Sean McDermott spent nine years building something in Buffalo. Now he’s looking for his next opportunity after the Bills moved on from him in January.

The dismissal came after a divisional round overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, ending a tenure that started back in 2017. McDermott entered the NFL as a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 and never went without a job until now.

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The timing caught him off guard. Most coaches at this stage of the offseason are knee-deep in draft preparation and roster planning. McDermott is doing something different. Reflecting and recalibrating.

Sean McDermott addresses Buffalo Bills exit

He spoke with The Athletic recently, first time after owner Terry Pegula made the decision, and his tone didn’t carry bitterness.

McDermott focused on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on how things ended. He talked about growth, asking the right questions, and staying sharp in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone.

“When you stop asking questions, that’s when you get yourself into trouble,” McDermott said. “People who are leaders, who think they have all the answers and aren’t asking questions, are the ones, I feel like, that run into trouble sooner or later, just in terms of not being the best versions of themselves.

“So, I’m passionate about that; passionate about growing and evolving, and I think the NFL is so competitive, and you’ve got to be continually asking yourself, ‘What, why, how?’ If you want to continue to be successful, it’s in the margins.”