The winds of change are blowing through Buffalo.
After nine seasons at the helm, the Bills have officially parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott. The decision comes just days after a gut-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round-an exit that once again kept Buffalo from reaching the AFC Championship.
While the game ended in controversy, with McDermott visibly frustrated over a late-game call, it wasn’t enough to save his job. For a franchise that’s been knocking on the Super Bowl door for years, falling short yet again signaled it was time for a reset.
McDermott’s tenure in Buffalo was far from a failure. He posted a 98-50 regular-season record and went 8-8 in the playoffs, leading the Bills to two AFC Championship appearances.
But both of those deep runs ended the same way: with losses to the Kansas City Chiefs. And while he helped elevate the Bills from a perennial afterthought into a consistent contender, the Super Bowl window doesn’t stay open forever-especially with a quarterback like Josh Allen in his prime.
So now, the Bills are turning the page. General manager Brandon Beane is expected to stay on and lead the search for McDermott’s successor, and one name is already generating serious buzz: Brian Daboll.
Daboll is no stranger to Buffalo-or to Josh Allen. He served as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, a stretch that saw Allen develop from a raw prospect into one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
That connection still carries weight. According to league insiders, Daboll’s name is surfacing frequently in conversations about the Bills’ next move, and Allen is reportedly a strong supporter.
Since leaving Buffalo, Daboll took over as head coach of the New York Giants in 2022 and made an immediate impact, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors in his first season. But things unraveled quickly in Year 2, and he was let go after a 2-8 start this season.
Still, his offensive pedigree and familiarity with Allen make him a top candidate-not just in Buffalo, but around the league. He’s also been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles’ vacancy following their recent coaching shake-up.
For the Bills, this hiring cycle is more than just finding a new voice in the locker room-it’s about maximizing a championship-caliber roster while the window is still open. Allen remains one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the game, and the front office has built a strong core around him. But the clock is ticking.
McDermott helped lay the foundation. Now, the task is finding the right leader to take the next step.
Whether that’s a reunion with Daboll or a fresh face altogether, one thing is clear: Buffalo isn’t content with just being in the conversation. They’re aiming for the big one.