The Buffalo Bills are officially in the market for a new head coach, and the search is already heating up just days after parting ways with Sean McDermott. The longtime head coach was let go two days after Buffalo’s gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round-a game that marked yet another close postseason heartbreak for a team that’s been knocking on the door for years.
Now, with McDermott’s nine-year tenure in the rearview mirror, the Bills are moving quickly to identify their next leader. According to reports, the shortlist is already taking shape, and there are a few names that stand out-some familiar to Buffalo fans, and one that might raise eyebrows.
Two of the more “obvious” candidates being discussed are Brian Daboll and Joe Brady. Both have deep ties to the franchise and, more importantly, to quarterback Josh Allen.
Let’s start with Brady. The 36-year-old is already in the building, having stepped in as offensive coordinator midway through the 2023 season after Ken Dorsey was dismissed.
Brady didn’t just steady the ship-he helped ignite it. Under his guidance, the Bills averaged 30.9 points per game in 2024, the second-highest mark in franchise history.
Allen, meanwhile, turned in an MVP season. That kind of offensive output doesn’t go unnoticed, and Brady’s already drawing attention from around the league.
He’s reportedly interviewed with the Ravens and is on the radar of both the Falcons and Dolphins.
Then there’s Daboll, who’s no stranger to Orchard Park. He was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 and played a central role in developing Allen into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
That success earned him the head coaching job with the New York Giants, where he made an immediate impact by guiding them to their first playoff appearance since 2016. However, things unraveled quickly in Year 2, and he was let go midseason.
Despite the abrupt ending in New York, Daboll’s track record with Allen and his familiarity with the Bills’ system make him a compelling candidate.
But there’s also a more under-the-radar name being floated: Davis Webb. While Webb might not be a household name in coaching circles yet, he’s someone worth watching.
Currently the quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator in Denver, Webb has spent the last three seasons working under Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton. That’s a strong pedigree, but his connection to Buffalo is what really makes him intriguing.
Webb spent three seasons as a player with the Bills and was known to be close with Allen during that time. That kind of relationship could carry weight in a locker room that’s built around its franchise quarterback. At just 30 years old, Webb has already interviewed with the Raiders and Ravens, and he’s clearly a rising name in coaching circles.
As the Bills weigh their options, general manager Brandon Beane will lead the search for what will be the 20th head coach in franchise history. Beane is staying on through the transition, and his familiarity with both the roster and the organization’s culture gives him a strong foundation to work from.
McDermott’s departure marks the end of a significant era in Buffalo. Over nine seasons, he led the team to a 98-50 record and reached the playoffs in eight of those years.
But postseason success proved elusive. Saturday’s 33-30 loss to Denver was the sixth time under McDermott that the Bills were eliminated in the fourth quarter or overtime of a playoff game.
Those close calls ultimately became a defining theme of his tenure.
Team owner Terry Pegula acknowledged McDermott’s contributions in a statement, saying, “Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past 9 seasons. But I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level... We owe that to our players and to Bills Mafia.”
As for McDermott’s future, it’s unclear what his next move will be. He has a strong defensive background, having served as a coordinator in both Philadelphia and Carolina before taking the reins in Buffalo. Several teams around the league could be in the market for a defensive coordinator, including the Cowboys, Packers, Browns, Giants, Steelers, and Raiders.
There’s also the possibility that McDermott gets another shot as a head coach. Multiple teams-including the Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Titans, Cardinals, and Ravens-are currently searching for new head coaches after disappointing seasons. The Falcons and Giants have already filled their vacancies, but the carousel is still spinning.
For now, all eyes in Buffalo are on the next chapter. The Bills have the talent.
They have the quarterback. And now, they’re searching for the leader who can finally get them over the hump.
Whether it’s a familiar face like Daboll or Brady, or a rising star like Webb, the decision ahead could define the next decade of Bills football.