The Cleveland Browns are deep into their head coaching search, and things are starting to heat up. The team has scheduled second interviews with five candidates, and while the Rooney Rule still needs to be satisfied - meaning additional names could surface in the coming days - one potential candidate looming large over the process is Sean McDermott.
McDermott, recently let go by the Buffalo Bills, is suddenly one of the most intriguing names on the market. And according to reports, the Browns are already doing their homework on the veteran coach. While Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is still viewed as a frontrunner in the process, McDermott could quickly become a serious contender if Cleveland decides to expand its focus.
Why McDermott Should Be on Cleveland’s Radar
Let’s be clear: Sean McDermott’s resume deserves a long, hard look. Sure, he’s taken his fair share of heat for Buffalo’s playoff shortcomings, but the bigger picture tells a more nuanced story. Under his leadership, the Bills were the only team in the NFL to win at least one playoff game in each of the past six seasons - a level of consistency that’s rare in today’s league.
Some of McDermott’s postseason exits were downright brutal. There was the infamous 13-second drive by Patrick Mahomes that ended Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes before overtime rules were changed.
There was also a gut-wrenching loss that hinged on a missed field goal. These weren’t blowouts or collapses - they were razor-thin margins in games that could’ve gone either way.
And it’s not like McDermott was working with a perfect roster. In fact, his early success came before GM Brandon Beane took over the draft room.
McDermott’s first draft class was a hit, but once Beane stepped in, the Bills struggled to consistently add impact talent through the draft. Add to that Beane’s public frustration over failing to land a top-tier wide receiver to support Josh Allen, and it becomes clear that McDermott wasn’t always given the best tools to work with.
Despite that, McDermott’s record in Buffalo speaks for itself: 98 wins to just 50 losses, a .662 winning percentage. He took a team led by Tyrod Taylor to a 9-7 record and a playoff berth.
His only losing season came in 2018, when a rookie Josh Allen started 11 games. From there, it was double-digit wins every year - a remarkable run of sustained success in a league built for parity.
Accountability Still Matters
Now, that’s not to say McDermott is without fault. He was the head coach, and with that comes responsibility for the Bills’ inability to get over the hump.
Whether it was game management, defensive lapses at key moments, or the lack of postseason breakthroughs, McDermott has to own those results. But context matters, and in his case, the context is filled with consistent competitiveness, locker room stability, and a team that was always in the mix.
What This Means for the Browns
For Cleveland, this coaching hire is critical. The Browns aren’t in rebuild mode - they’re built to win now.
And that makes the decision in front of them all the more important. They’ve already lined up second interviews with several intriguing candidates, and there’s real momentum behind some of them.
But ignoring a proven winner like McDermott - without at least gauging his interest - would be a misstep.
He’s not just another name in the cycle. He’s a coach who has shown he can lead a team through adversity, win consistently, and navigate the pressure of high expectations. If the Browns are serious about making a leap, McDermott should absolutely be part of the conversation.