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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen
The Buffalo Bills waited just a couple of days after their AFC Divisional loss to the Denver Broncos before deciding to part ways with head coach Sean McDermott, who spent the previous 9 seasons at the helm of the team.
A total record of 98-50, making the playoffs 8 times and coaching in two AFC Championship games, McDermott’s replacement will have some big shoes to fill.
With head coaching options already flying off the board, Buffalo has begun its interview request process to find their guy for the 2026 NFL season.
Colts Coordinator Linked To Bills Job
GettyThe Colts may have to search for a new defensive coordinator
Multiple teams that needed a head coach have filled those vacant spots, leaving a smaller market for the Buffalo Bills to replace Sean McDermott.
The first wave of interview requests for the Bills has been revealed, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, has been named one of the candidates for the job.
The 2025 NFL season started hot for the Colts, with the team having a 7-1 record after eight weeks, one of the best in the league, before things took a turn, finishing the season with an 8-9 record.
Anarumo is a seasoned defensive coordinator, having held the position for the last seven seasons, including six with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Indy’s run defense was one of the best in the league this season, allowing 101.9 rushing yards per game, the seventh-lowest in the NFL. The pass game is a different story, but injuries on both sides of the ball prevented the Indianapolis Colts from playing at their best in Shane Steichen’s third season as head coach of the franchise.
The defense also registered 39 sacks in the 2025 season, which puts the Colts in the top half of the league that can take the opposing quarterbacks.
Anarumo also has experience coaching in the Super Bowl, which is a huge plus for any team interested in his coaching.
With head coaching vacancies being filled, Anarumo has to decide whether or not he would like to continue with Indianapolis.
Other Interviews For Lou Anarumo
GettyLou Anarumo could leave after one season with the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ defensive coordinator has been quite a hot commodity in the head coaching market.
Lou Anarumo’s interview with the Buffalo Bills will be the defensive coordinator’s third total interview in the 2026 head coaching cycle.
The DC previously met with the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans, but both teams ultimately decided to go with different options.
If Anarumo were to become a head coach for the 2026 season, it would put the Indianapolis Colts in disarray, forcing Indy to find its third defensive coordinator in three seasons.
With no consistent DC, there would be no foundation building on a Colts team that used a lot of resources to get some good talent, including trading two first-round picks for New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.
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Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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