Buffalo Bills Fire Sean McDermott After Playoff Collapse, Promote GM Brandon Beane Amid Major Franchise Shake-Up
It’s been a turbulent stretch in Western New York - the kind of 72-hour rollercoaster that shakes a franchise to its core. The Buffalo Bills, fresh off a gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, have parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott.
And in a move that caught nearly everyone off guard, general manager Brandon Beane - the architect of this roster - wasn’t just retained. He was promoted.
Let’s break it all down.
McDermott Out After Nine Seasons: A Legacy of Culture Change, But Not Quite Enough
When Sean McDermott took over in 2017, the Bills were stuck in the NFL wilderness. Seventeen straight seasons without a playoff appearance.
No clear identity. No quarterback.
No direction.
Fast forward nine years, and McDermott leaves with a 98-50 regular-season record - second only to Marv Levy in franchise wins. He brought Buffalo back to relevance, guiding them to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons and capturing five straight AFC East titles from 2020 to 2024. That’s not just turning a team around - that’s reshaping a culture.
But for all the regular-season success, the postseason remained a hurdle the Bills couldn’t quite clear. McDermott’s teams consistently made it to January, but only twice reached the AFC Championship Game, and never the Super Bowl. His playoff record - 8-8 - tells the story of a team that could punch its ticket, but never quite finish the journey.
This year’s loss to Denver was particularly painful. Five turnovers.
Missed chances. A game that felt winnable slipping away in the worst possible fashion.
And just like that, the season ended - and with it, McDermott’s tenure.
Owner Terry Pegula made the call on Monday, signaling a desire for change at the top. The decision sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
McDermott wasn’t just a coach - he was a symbol of Buffalo’s resurgence. His firing marked the end of an era, and the start of a new, uncertain chapter.
Beane Promoted: A Vote of Confidence or a Final Challenge?
While McDermott was shown the door, Brandon Beane got a new one opened. The Bills’ general manager since 2017 is now the team’s president of football operations - a major promotion at a pivotal time.
Beane has been responsible for building the roster around quarterback Josh Allen, a franchise cornerstone who’s already delivered plenty of highlight-reel moments but is still chasing that elusive Super Bowl. But after another playoff exit, questions about the supporting cast around Allen have only grown louder.
This year, the AFC was wide open. The Bills had a real shot.
But injuries, inconsistency, and roster holes - especially on defense - proved costly. And while McDermott took the fall, Beane’s blueprint has come under scrutiny too.
Now, with more power and more responsibility, the pressure is squarely on Beane to deliver. Pegula’s decision to elevate him signals trust - but also expectation.
The Bills have been knocking on the door for years. In his new role, Beane has to find a way to kick it down.
McDermott’s Goodbye: Gratitude, Class, and a Nod to Buffalo’s Grit
Despite the abrupt ending, McDermott took the high road. In a farewell message to fans, he expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Bills.
“Bills Mafia, you are one of one,” McDermott wrote. “It has been a joy and inspiration to witness your passion and commitment firsthand. I always wanted our teams to play with the same level of toughness and grit that is true to Buffalo and that you demonstrate every day.”
It was a fitting goodbye from a coach who embraced the city’s identity - blue-collar, resilient, all-in. McDermott may not have delivered a Super Bowl, but he brought stability, pride, and purpose back to Buffalo football. And for that, he leaves with his head held high.
What’s Next for the Bills?
With McDermott gone and Beane stepping into a larger role, the Bills are at a crossroads. The window with Josh Allen is still open, but how long it stays that way depends on what happens next.
A new head coach will need to be hired. A roster will need to be retooled.
And a fanbase - one of the most passionate in the league - will need to be reassured that this team is still on the right path.
The next chapter in Buffalo starts now. And it’s a big one.