Sean McDermott is pressing pause-for now.
After his surprising dismissal from the Buffalo Bills following their gut-wrenching loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round, the longtime head coach has decided to sit out the 2026 NFL season. While his name quickly surfaced in coaching circles-most notably as a potential addition to Todd Bowles’ staff in Tampa Bay-McDermott is expected to take the year off and reassess his options in 2027.
That’s the word from multiple league insiders, including FOX Sports’ Greg Auman and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who both noted that McDermott hasn’t engaged in talks with any of the teams currently searching for a head coach. With the Cleveland Browns recently hiring former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and only the Cardinals and Raiders still in the market, McDermott seems content to let this cycle pass him by.
It’s a move that makes sense. After nine seasons in Buffalo-eight of which ended in playoff appearances-McDermott walks away with a résumé that speaks for itself.
He inherited a franchise that had been spinning its wheels for nearly two decades and turned it into a perennial contender. Under his leadership, the Bills didn’t just make the playoffs; they became a consistent threat in the AFC, even if the Super Bowl ultimately eluded them.
Sure, the postseason record wasn’t perfect, and yes, some of the criticism about Buffalo’s roster construction is fair. But let’s be clear: McDermott didn’t just steady the ship-he built a new one.
He brought stability, accountability, and a culture shift that elevated the franchise. That kind of transformation doesn’t go unnoticed around the league.
So while the 2026 sidelines may not feature McDermott, don’t expect that to last long. Come next year’s hiring cycle, he’ll be one of the most coveted names on the board. Whether it’s a team looking to rebuild or a contender in need of a steady hand, McDermott will have options-and plenty of them.
For now, he gets a well-earned break. But make no mistake: Sean McDermott isn’t done coaching. He’s just reloading.