After nine seasons at the helm in Buffalo, it looks like Sean McDermott is hitting pause on coaching-for now.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, McDermott is “likely” to sit out the 2026 NFL season following his dismissal by the Bills earlier this month. While several head coaching jobs remain open-most notably in Arizona, Cleveland, and Las Vegas-there’s no indication McDermott is actively pursuing any of them.
And frankly, with his résumé, he wouldn’t have to chase too hard if he were interested. As Rapoport put it, McDermott would be “one of the top candidates for basically any job around.”
But based on conversations McDermott has had with other coaches who’ve taken a year off after long tenures, the consensus seems clear: stepping away can be both restorative and productive. Rapoport noted that McDermott hasn’t engaged with any of the current vacancies, suggesting he’s content to take a breather before reentering the coaching carousel.
McDermott’s departure from Buffalo came just two days after the Bills’ heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. It was a tough ending to what had been an impressive run.
In nine seasons, McDermott guided the Bills to the playoffs eight times-including seven straight postseason appearances. But despite the consistency, Buffalo never reached the Super Bowl under his watch.
Twice they got close, only to be stopped in the AFC Championship by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Still, McDermott’s impact on the franchise is undeniable. He turned a perennial underachiever into a consistent contender.
His regular-season record of 98-50 makes him the second-winningest coach in Bills history, trailing only the legendary Marv Levy. And his teams went 8-8 in the postseason-solid, though not quite the breakthrough Bills fans had hoped for.
One stat that encapsulates McDermott’s tenure: Buffalo became the first team in league history to win a playoff game in six consecutive seasons without reaching the Super Bowl. That’s both a testament to the team’s sustained excellence and a frustrating reminder of how close they came, year after year.
At the time of his firing, McDermott still had two years left on his contract, with around $16 million owed to him. That financial cushion gives him the flexibility to be selective about his next move.
If the right opportunity doesn’t come along this cycle, there’s no urgency to jump back in. A year off could be exactly what he needs to reset, recharge, and wait for the ideal situation.
So while McDermott may not be roaming the sidelines in 2026, don’t expect him to fade from the coaching conversation for long. With his track record, leadership chops, and playoff pedigree, he’ll be one of the most sought-after names whenever he decides it’s time to return.