The Buffalo Bills are in the middle of a pivotal offseason-one that could define the next chapter of the franchise. With Sean McDermott out as head coach, the team is searching for a new leader to guide a roster built to win now, headlined by MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen. But just as the coaching search seemed to gain momentum, a key candidate abruptly stepped off the board.
Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach, was scheduled to interview with the Bills on Friday in Florida. That meeting never happened. McDaniel canceled, and while no reason has been made public, the timing and circumstances raise eyebrows around the league.
Despite being let go by the Dolphins after four seasons without a playoff berth, McDaniel remains one of the most respected offensive minds in football. His creativity and ability to scheme open receivers made Miami one of the league’s more dynamic offenses during his tenure.
He’s reportedly agreed to become the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers-assuming he doesn’t land a head coaching gig elsewhere. The Bills job, with Allen at the helm and a talented roster on both sides of the ball, was thought to be one of the most attractive vacancies available.
McDaniel’s decision to pass, at least for now, is a surprising twist.
This wasn’t McDaniel’s only canceled meeting. Earlier this week, he also backed out of a second interview with the Cleveland Browns. He has, however, completed an interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, who remain in the mix for several coaching candidates.
Back in Buffalo, the search continues. The team has already spoken with current offensive coordinator Joe Brady about potentially stepping into the top job. Brady took over play-calling duties midseason and helped stabilize the offense, showing enough promise to warrant serious consideration.
Another familiar face, Brian Daboll, has also been in the mix. Daboll, who was let go by the New York Giants in November, has history in Buffalo.
He served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator during Allen’s breakout years and has a strong rapport with the quarterback. His return would bring continuity and familiarity-two things that could be invaluable during a coaching transition.
The Bills have also interviewed Anthony Weaver, who served as defensive coordinator under McDaniel in Miami. Weaver’s defensive acumen and leadership qualities have earned him respect around the league.
And in a surprising development, Philip Rivers-yes, that Philip Rivers-has reportedly met with the team as well. The longtime Chargers quarterback came out of retirement to briefly suit up for the Indianapolis Colts this season, and now he’s apparently exploring a potential future on the sidelines.
But the coaching search isn’t the only storyline swirling around Buffalo right now.
Team owner Terry Pegula added fuel to the fire with a chaotic and widely criticized press conference this week. In trying to explain the decision to move on from McDermott, Pegula made comments that raised more questions than answers. He appeared to place blame on McDermott for the team’s selection of wide receiver Keon Coleman in the draft-a pick that, according to Pegula, wasn’t general manager Brandon Beane’s top choice at the time.
“Can I interrupt? I’ll address the Keon situation,” Pegula said, cutting into a question directed at Beane.
“The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but he wasn’t his next choice.
That was Brandon being a team player and taking the advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player. He’s taken, for some reason, heat over it and not said a word about it.
I am here to tell you the true story.”
Pegula’s comments came as he defended the decision to promote Beane to President of Football Operations-on the very same day McDermott was fired. That move, and the optics surrounding it, didn’t sit well with large portions of the Bills fanbase, many of whom felt blindsided by the announcement and the lack of clarity around the team’s direction.
McDermott’s firing came just days after a gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Denver Broncos-a game that many believed represented Buffalo’s best shot at finally making a Super Bowl run. With AFC heavyweights like the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bengals all missing the postseason, the path appeared wide open.
But the Bills came up short, and emotions ran high. Allen was visibly emotional in his postgame press conference, a sign of just how much the loss stung.
Adding to the drama, it was later revealed that Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle on the second-to-last play of the game. Denver got the win, but it came at a steep cost.
The Broncos now move on to face the New England Patriots for a shot at the Super Bowl, while the NFC side sees the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Los Angeles Rams.
As for the Bills, they’re still searching-for their next head coach, for clarity in leadership, and for a way to get over the hump in a loaded AFC. The window is still open, but with every passing day, the pressure to get this hire right grows louder.