Sean McDermott: Is Coaching This Year? Buffalo Bills Departure

Sean McDermott is not coaching in the NFL during the 2026 season after his nine-year run with the Buffalo Bills came to an end in January. The veteran coach is currently taking a year away from coaching while preparing for what could be his next opportunity in the NFL.

McDermott’s departure from Buffalo marked the end of one of the most successful coaching eras in Bills history. He helped transform the franchise into a regular playoff contender, but the team ultimately decided to make a change after another disappointing postseason exit.

Is Sean McDermott coaching this year?

No. Sean McDermott is not coaching this year, meaning he is not serving as an NFL head coach or coordinator during the 2026 season.

The Buffalo Bills fired McDermott on January 19, 2026, after nine seasons as the team’s head coach. Buffalo subsequently promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to become the new head coach. The Bills’ official coaching staff lists Brady as head coach for the 2026 season.

McDermott confirmed in April that he planned to take the 2026 season away from coaching. He described the time as an opportunity to reflect on his Buffalo tenure, learn from the experience and prepare himself for a future coaching opportunity.

Therefore, fans searching for Sean McDermott coaching this year should not expect to see him on an NFL sideline during the 2026 campaign.

What happened to Sean McDermott?

McDermott was relieved of his duties following Buffalo’s AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Bills lost the playoff game in overtime, ending their 2025 season. Buffalo had continued to enjoy regular-season success under McDermott, but the franchise had struggled to reach the Super Bowl.

Bills owner Terry Pegula explained that the decision was connected to the team’s repeated postseason disappointments. Pegula said he believed Buffalo had reached a playoff ceiling and that a change in leadership was necessary.

The decision ended McDermott’s nine-season tenure in Buffalo.

Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills departure

The Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills departure became official on January 19, 2026.

During his time in Buffalo, McDermott established the Bills as one of the AFC’s consistent contenders. The organization credited him with helping change the team’s culture and ending a 17-year playoff drought.

The Bills’ official announcement said McDermott had been relieved of his head-coaching responsibilities after nine seasons. Pegula also thanked him for his work with the organization and said he believed McDermott was not finished coaching in the NFL.

McDermott’s tenure produced eight playoff appearances in nine seasons, according to his comments reported by NFL.com. He also helped turn Buffalo into a perennial postseason team after taking over in 2017.

Why did the Bills fire Sean McDermott?

The main reason was the team’s inability to get over the postseason hurdle.

Buffalo regularly reached the playoffs under McDermott, but the organization did not reach the Super Bowl during his tenure. Pegula pointed to several painful postseason moments that had accumulated over multiple seasons.

After the loss to Denver, Pegula said the decision was based on the results of that game and the repeated postseason disappointment that preceded it. He said he could not see the team overcoming that obstacle with McDermott remaining as head coach.

This does not erase McDermott’s regular-season accomplishments. Instead, the Bills’ decision reflected the different expectations surrounding the franchise after it became a consistent contender.

Who is coaching the Buffalo Bills in 2026?

Joe Brady is coaching the Buffalo Bills in 2026.

Brady previously served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach following McDermott’s departure. The Bills’ current coaching staff lists Brady as head coach, Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator and Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator.

Brady’s promotion represented a significant change in Buffalo’s leadership structure. McDermott had been a defensive-minded head coach, while Brady arrived as an offensive coach who had worked closely with quarterback Josh Allen.

The change became particularly noticeable during the opening week of the 2026 season. The Bills defeated the Houston Texans 36-31 in Brady’s first game as an NFL head coach, with Allen throwing for 334 yards.

What is Sean McDermott doing in 2026?

McDermott is using 2026 as a year away from coaching.

Rather than immediately accepting another position, he has said that he wants to use the time to evaluate his Buffalo experience and continue developing as a coach and leader.

In an April interview with NFL.com, McDermott said he wanted to understand what worked during his Buffalo tenure and what he would do differently in the future. He also discussed learning from leaders in other sports and industries.

That means McDermott’s absence from an NFL sideline in 2026 is intentional rather than an indication that he has permanently retired from coaching.

Does Sean McDermott want to coach again?

Yes. McDermott has publicly indicated that he wants to return to coaching.

In an April 2026 interview, McDermott said he “absolutely” wants to coach again and spoke positively about being part of a team.

However, he has chosen not to coach during the 2026 season. His focus is currently on taking a step back, reflecting on his Buffalo experience and preparing for a potential future opportunity.

His decision also gives him time to observe the NFL from outside the pressure of a coaching position.

Could Sean McDermott return to the NFL?

McDermott has left the door open for a return.

His nine-year Buffalo tenure gives him substantial NFL head-coaching experience. He took over the Bills in 2017 and helped turn the franchise into a regular playoff participant.

At the same time, his next opportunity will depend on available coaching positions and how NFL teams evaluate their candidates.

McDermott has not announced a specific team that he will join. As of September 2026, he remains out of coaching.

Sean McDermott coaching record with the Bills

McDermott spent nine seasons as Buffalo’s head coach from 2017 through 2025.

NFL.com reported that McDermott finished his Buffalo tenure with a 98-50 regular-season record and seven consecutive playoff appearances at the time of his firing. The Bills subsequently moved forward with Brady as head coach.

What did Sean McDermott accomplish in Buffalo?

McDermott’s biggest accomplishment was helping change the direction of the Bills franchise.

Before his arrival, Buffalo had experienced a 17-year playoff drought. McDermott reached the postseason during his first season and subsequently established the Bills as a regular AFC contender.

His tenure also coincided with the emergence of Josh Allen as Buffalo’s franchise quarterback.

The Bills won multiple AFC East titles during McDermott’s tenure and regularly competed deep into the postseason. However, they were unable to reach the Super Bowl, which became increasingly important as the team accumulated regular-season success.

That combination of sustained success and postseason frustration ultimately shaped the decision to move on from McDermott.

Sean McDermott and Joe Brady connection

One interesting part of McDermott’s departure is his connection with Joe Brady.

Brady worked under McDermott in Buffalo before ultimately becoming his successor. Brady’s promotion meant the Bills retained an important member of the previous coaching structure while changing the head coach.

Brady has also spoken publicly about McDermott’s impact on his career. Following the coaching change, Brady described McDermott’s firing as devastating and acknowledged that McDermott was the person who gave him his opportunity in Buffalo.

That makes Brady’s first season as Buffalo’s head coach an important continuation of the organization’s coaching transition.

Will Sean McDermott coach in 2027?

McDermott has not announced where he will coach next or whether he will definitely return in 2027.

What is clear is that he intends to use the 2026 season as a break from coaching. He has continued discussing his desire to improve and eventually return to the NFL.

For now, there is no confirmed 2027 coaching job for McDermott.

Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills departure explained

The Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills departure ended a nine-year coaching tenure that changed the franchise’s trajectory.

McDermott helped Buffalo break its long playoff drought and become a regular contender. However, after another postseason defeat, the Bills decided they needed a new leadership structure.

Joe Brady replaced him as head coach for the 2026 season.

McDermott, meanwhile, is spending the year away from the sideline. He has indicated that he still wants to coach and is using the break to reflect, learn and prepare for his next opportunity.

FAQs

Is Sean McDermott coaching in 2026?

No. Sean McDermott is not coaching during the 2026 NFL season. He is taking a year away from coaching after leaving the Buffalo Bills.

Why did Sean McDermott leave the Bills?

The Bills fired McDermott after their 2025 season ended with an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. Owner Terry Pegula cited the team’s repeated postseason struggles when explaining the decision.

Who replaced Sean McDermott?

Joe Brady replaced Sean McDermott as head coach of the Buffalo Bills for the 2026 season.

Is Sean McDermott retired?

No. McDermott has not announced his retirement from coaching. He has said that he wants to coach again but is taking the 2026 season away from the sideline.

How long was Sean McDermott with the Bills?

McDermott coached the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons, from 2017 through 2025.

Will Sean McDermott return to coaching?

McDermott has expressed a desire to coach again, but he has not announced a specific team or position for the 2027 season.

Conclusion

Sean McDermott is not coaching this year. His Buffalo Bills tenure ended in January 2026 after nine seasons, and Joe Brady took over as the team’s head coach.

McDermott is using the 2026 season as a deliberate break from coaching. He has said that he wants to learn from his Buffalo experience and eventually return to the NFL. His next coaching destination has not yet been announced.