The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott, sources told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
However, general manager Brandon Beane will remain with the organization and help lead the search for the team’s next coach, adds Pelissero.
McDermott was hired as the Bills’ head coach in 2017. Over his nine-year tenure, the 51-year-old posted a 98-50 record and secured five AFC East titles.
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The dismissal follows Buffalo’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in Saturday’s divisional-round contest. Despite reaching the playoffs eight times under McDermott, the Bills never advanced to the Super Bowl.
Buffalo kicked a 50-yard field goal to tie the game late in regulation Saturday but couldn’t score in overtime. After stopping Denver on its first possession of the extra frame, the Bills allowed the Broncos to march down the field and score a game-winning field goal on their second drive.
However, controversy dominated overtime, highlighted by a pivotal play in which officials ruled Brandin Cooks’ leaping catch attempt on third down an interception.
WOW!! Interception Josh Allen on this crazy play pic.twitter.com/J7UyosDna5
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 18, 2026
A frustrated McDermott criticized the referees postgame for making a rushed decision, insisting that officials should have reviewed the play.
“It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled,” McDermott told reporters after the game. “If it is ruled that way, then why wasn’t it slowed down? Just to make sure that we have this right.”
He added: “I’m saying it because I’m standing up for Buffalo, damnit. I’m standing up for us. That’s not how it should go down.”
