Sean McDermott Out, Brandon Beane Up: What’s Really Going On in Buffalo
In a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows around the league, the Buffalo Bills have parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott - and simultaneously elevated general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations. It’s a reshuffling of power that tells us a lot about how things work behind the scenes at One Bills Drive.
Let’s start with the biggest question: How does a GM survive what many consider to be his rockiest season and come out of it with more power?
The answer lies with one man - team owner Terry Pegula.
Pegula’s Power Structure: A Moving Target
Pegula has never followed a traditional blueprint when it comes to running his franchises. For years, he maintained different leadership hierarchies for the Bills and the Sabres.
The Bills operated with a dual-reporting structure - the head coach and general manager each had direct lines to the owner. The Sabres, on the other hand, followed a more conventional model, with the coach reporting to the GM, and the GM to the owner.
Now, Pegula wants consistency across both organizations. And that means a clear chain of command - with Beane at the top of football operations.
No more dual reporting. No more split authority.
Beane is now the final voice before Pegula himself. And that clarity gives Beane something McDermott no longer has: control.
Beane’s Inner Circle Access
Beane’s promotion isn’t just about job titles - it’s about trust and access. He has Pegula’s ear, quite literally. Beane and COO-turned-president of business operations Pete Guelli often watch games alongside the owner, discussing roster moves and in-game decisions in real time.
We even saw a glimpse of that relationship during Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Buffalo Bills, where Pegula was shown reviewing film with Beane. When Pegula asked about linebacker No. 44 - second-year pro "Buffalo Joe" Andreessen - Beane answered calmly and confidently. That’s the kind of rapport that gives a GM staying power.
It’s not the first time Pegula has leaned into familiarity when making big decisions. Russ Brandon, once on the verge of being pushed out, ended up as president of both the Bills and Sabres.
Kevyn Adams, who lacked traditional front office experience, became GM of the Sabres after regularly watching games and sharing opinions with Pegula. The pattern is clear: trust and proximity matter more than résumé bullet points.
The McDermott Fallout
For McDermott, the writing may have been on the wall long before the official announcement. After the Bills’ overtime loss to the Broncos, sources close to the coach believed his job was safe. He was conducting exit interviews as usual, and players didn’t sense any immediate shakeup.
But just over a day after the team’s return to Buffalo, the axe fell - and Beane and Guelli were simultaneously promoted. That kind of timing doesn’t happen by accident. This move had been in the works.
There’s also reason to believe the relationship between McDermott and Beane had grown strained. McDermott, perhaps sensing the roster wasn’t where it needed to be, made subtle - and sometimes not-so-subtle - references to the strengths of other teams.
He praised the Eagles’ defensive line, credited the Jaguars for savvy trades, and pointed to areas where Buffalo had fallen short. It’s not hard to imagine Beane taking those comments personally.
Beane’s Rocky Offseason
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Beane had a bumpy 2025. His offseason was headlined by a testy exchange with WGR 550-AM hosts Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase, who questioned the Bills’ lack of investment at wide receiver.
Beane fired back, defending his draft strategy. The team even leaned into the moment, opening their behind-the-scenes draft documentary with audio from the rant.
But the radio hosts weren’t wrong.
Buffalo’s receiving corps was a revolving door. Joshua Palmer, expected to be a key contributor, was limited to just eight starts due to injury.
Keon Coleman was benched for repeated tardiness. Elijah Moore was let go midseason to make room for 32-year-old Brandon Cooks - who, in a twist of irony, ended up becoming Josh Allen’s most effective target alongside the reliable Khalil Shakir.
Then there was the James Cook contract standoff. Beane extended several players from Cook’s draft class but hesitated to pay his starting running back top dollar.
The impasse stretched into the preseason before a deal was finally reached. Cook responded by leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,621) and scoring 14 touchdowns.
That’s a win for Cook - and a reminder of what almost didn’t happen.
One of Beane’s most questionable moves came when he claimed disgruntled cornerback Darius Slay off waivers. Slay refused to report to Buffalo, and to make room for him, the team cut Ja’Marcus Ingram - who was promptly scooped up by the Texans.
The Bills, who typically carry four boundary corners, were left with just three. McDermott, known for his defensive acumen, was visibly frustrated whenever the topic came up.
The Draft Hits and Misses
Beane’s draft record is a mixed bag. He’s found value in later rounds - Shakir, nickel corner Taron Johnson, and Christian Benford all stand out as solid contributors.
But the early rounds have been less kind. Edge rusher Boogie Basham, corner Kaiir Elam, and wideout Keon Coleman haven’t lived up to expectations.
Still, Beane holds the ultimate trump card: he made the move to trade up for Josh Allen in 2018. That decision alone buys him a longer leash than most GMs get.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about McDermott being fired or Beane being promoted. It’s about how power is structured - and wielded - inside the Bills organization.
Pegula values loyalty, familiarity, and direct communication. Beane offers all three.
And now, with McDermott out of the picture, Beane has a clear runway to shape the team in his vision.
Whether that leads to a Super Bowl - or more second-guessing - remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: in Buffalo, power isn’t just about performance.
It’s about proximity. And right now, Brandon Beane is closer to the throne than ever.