There’s a major shakeup in the NFL coaching carousel, and it comes from one of the league’s most consistent contenders. The Buffalo Bills have parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott following a heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round.
That move doesn’t just add another name to the growing list of teams searching for a new leader - it redefines the landscape entirely. With McDermott now on the market, there are officially 10 head coaching vacancies around the league, including the Arizona Cardinals, but none carry the weight or appeal of what’s now available in Buffalo.
Let’s be clear: this is now the most attractive job in the NFL.
The Bills aren’t a rebuild. They’re a ready-made contender with a franchise quarterback in Josh Allen, who continues to play at an MVP-caliber level.
Buffalo has locked up five straight AFC East titles, hit double-digit wins in seven consecutive seasons, and made the playoffs in eight of the last nine years. On top of that, they’ve won at least one playoff game in each of the last five postseasons.
This isn’t a team looking for direction - it’s a team looking for the right voice to get them over the hump.
That’s what makes McDermott’s firing so impactful. He’s not just another coach hitting the open market - he’s now the most accomplished name available.
His resume includes building Buffalo into a perennial playoff team, stabilizing a franchise that had long struggled for consistency. And now, he’s suddenly a free agent.
So where does that leave teams like the Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona has already cast a wide net, with 13 candidates either interviewed or on the interview request list. But McDermott’s availability changes the equation.
If you’re a team still searching for a head coach, you have to at least consider making a call. His track record speaks for itself.
At the same time, Buffalo’s opening could have ripple effects across the rest of the league. Any top-tier coaching candidate - whether offensive-minded, defensive guru, or up-and-coming coordinator - now has a new destination to consider. And let’s face it: walking into a locker room with Josh Allen under center and a roster that’s been knocking on the Super Bowl door is a rare opportunity.
For teams like the Cardinals, that could mean competition intensifies. A candidate they had high on their board might now be eyeing Buffalo instead. That’s the nature of the coaching cycle - it’s fluid, and when a job like this opens up, everything else shifts with it.
As the 2026 hiring season heats up, one thing is certain: the Bills’ move has raised the stakes. Whether it’s McDermott finding a new home or Buffalo landing the next great head coach, this isn’t just another offseason storyline. This is a pivotal moment that could shape the AFC - and the broader NFL landscape - for years to come.