Sean McDermott Reflects on His Coaching Journey

Sean McDermott is already strategizing his next steps to get back into the NFL, and he’s come to terms with some difficult realizations along the way.

In a recent appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show,” the former head coach of the Bills shared that he has reached out to individuals within the organization to gain insights on what could be improved, now that he’s had some time to reflect.

“When you’re in a leadership position, you don’t often get the chance to step back and just reflect,” McDermott mentioned. “I’ve been thinking about my experiences in Buffalo—the positives and the areas where I’d approach things differently next time.”

Since his departure following a playoff loss to the Broncos, McDermott has resisted the temptation to take on a position as an assistant coach.

At 52 years old, he still aspires to return as an NFL head coach. Feedback from several in the Bills organization indicated that McDermott could improve his connection with players, prompting him to explore the reasons behind his firing.

“It really struck me,” McDermott reflected on the input he received from unnamed sources within the Bills. “They suggested I share more about myself.”

“It’s about being more authentic—revealing more of who I really am on a personal level, lowering my defenses a bit, and just showing my true self. I think sometimes, in focusing so intensely on the task at hand, I lost sight of that,” he acknowledged.

During his tenure, McDermott compiled a record of 98 wins against 50 losses, leading the team to the playoffs in seven of eight seasons, but he never managed to get to the Super Bowl, facing two narrow defeats to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

Interestingly, he didn’t disclose whether he had connected with any players, particularly quarterback Josh Allen.

Allen is currently being coached by Joe Brady, a former offensive coordinator under McDermott from 2022 to 2025.

“I’ve also been engaging in some different reflections, like seeking input from others to uncover any blind spots. I’ve reached out to people in Buffalo whom I respect,” McDermott explained. “Sometimes, what a head coach knows doesn’t encompass the whole story. So, I wanted to dig deeper because I’m curious about what I might not be aware of.”

Despite this phase of reflection, McDermott is still pocketing $8 million annually from the Bills due to his coaching contract, which extends through 2027, allowing him to take some time off.

Recently, he was spotted at a joint practice between the Bears and Titans, attending as a guest of Chicago’s head coach, Ben Johnson. There was some speculation that he might be considering a special advisor role, although there have yet to be any confirmations of that possibility.