\u201cWith a loaded roster headlined by NFL MVP Josh Allen<\/a>, McDermott has been under scrutiny for not being able to get his team to that next level,\u201d Sullivan wrote. \u201cIf he cannot break through that ceiling yet again in 2025, it may force the Buffalo brass to seriously consider finding a new leader who may have a better chance to take the franchise up a notch.\u201d<\/p>\n McDermott was joined on the hot seat list by the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>\u2018 Shane Steichen, Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>\u2018 Zac Taylor<\/a>, Miami Dolphins<\/a>\u2018 Mike McDaniel, and New York Giants<\/a>\u2018 Brian Daboll<\/a>, who was the Bills\u2019 offensive coordinator before taking over the G-Men.<\/p>\n The McDermott debate is tricky because there are two legitimate views of the situation.<\/p>\n On one hand, supporters will point to the nearly two decades of terrible football before he arrived. The Bills endured a 17-year playoff drought while cycling through coaches (and quarterbacks) at a rapid rate. A Super Bowl was nowhere in the realm of possibility.<\/p>\n McDermott quickly changed the culture in Buffalo. The team reached the playoffs during his first year in charge. He\u2019s compiled an 86-45 record (.656 win percentage) across eight seasons, including an active six-year streak with at least 10 victories.<\/p>\n In addition, the Bills finally found their franchise quarterback in Allen under the leadership of McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane<\/a>. Although it hasn\u2019t resulted in a title yet, it\u2019s the biggest piece of the puzzle in place for the long haul.<\/p>\n The former Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> and Carolina Panthers<\/a> assistant currently ranks 17th in NFL history for winning percentage among qualified head coaches. That\u2019s two spots ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>\u2018 Andy Reid<\/a> (.651), who\u2019s been a thorn in the Bills\u2019 side during recent playoff runs.<\/p>\n The top 10 returning head coaches in the NFL today \ud83d\udcca pic.twitter.com\/eCEDHdKXjF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 PFF (@PFF) June 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n So, McDermott surely deserves praise for what he\u2019s built from the ground up in Buffalo. However, the question is, how much weight does regular-season success carry? It\u2019s a particularly pressing question if a championship remains elusive for another year.<\/p>\n Postseason Failures Can\u2019t Be Overlooked<\/p>\n That\u2019s where the other side of the coin comes into play. While McDermott and Co. have enjoyed ample prosperity from September to December, it hasn\u2019t translated to January and February.<\/p>\n The Bills are 7-7 in the playoffs under the William & Mary product. Even more damning is the fact it\u2019s often been the defensive-minded coach\u2019s own unit letting the team down in the biggest moments.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at Buffalo\u2019s postseason losses during the McDermott Era:<\/p>\n 2017: 10-3 to the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> So the Bills have given up an average of 33.2 points in their past five playoff defeats. That\u2019s unacceptable, and it rests heavily on the head coach\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n Bills coach Sean McDermott joined me today on the “SHOUT!” podcast. One topic we hit on was his partnership with Josh Allen.<\/p>\n No HC-QB combo has ever won a Super Bowl if they didn’t in their first 5 seasons together. McDermott & Allen are entering year 8 together.<\/p>\n Here’s why\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/IJ6eJsLELt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) May 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Buffalo responded with the signing of star free-agent defensive end Joey Bosa<\/a> and a defense-heavy draft<\/a>. In turn, McDermott is running out of excuses if the unit fails on the big stage again.<\/p>\n What Does The Future Hold For Bills, McDermott?<\/p>\n Bills owner Terry Pegula is going to face an incredibly difficult decision if the organization comes up short this season. Anything less than a Super Bowl title should be considered a failure. The days of just being happy to make a deep run are over.<\/p>\n That said, is McDermott truly in danger if Buffalo is eliminated in the Divisional Round or later? Probably not. An exit in the Wild Card Round would be the toughest call. Missing the playoffs would likely guarantee the coach\u2019s departure (unless an Allen injury totally derailed the campaign).<\/p>\n Pegula has watched what happens when you spend every few years in the coaching carousel. His other team, the NHL\u2019s Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, has missed the playoffs 14 straight times. They have cycled through seven head coaches in that time, including two stints for current bench boss Lindy Ruff.<\/p>\n Cities with 0 major-four sports championships that have\/have had multiple franchises\u2026<\/p>\n 1. Buffalo \u2013 118 seasons![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_25282752_168402708_lowres-1024x744.jpg\")
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
\nBills\u2019 Sean McDermott Listed on 2025 NFL Hot Seat
\nMcDermott\u2019s Buffalo Track Record<\/p>\n
\n2019: 22-19 to the Houston Texans<\/a>
\n2020: 38-24 to the Chiefs
\n2021: 42-36 to the Chiefs
\n2022: 27-10 to the Bengals
\n2023: 27-24 to the Chiefs
\n2024: 32-29 to the Chiefs<\/p>\n
2. San Diego \u2013 115 seasons
3. Charlotte \u2013 66 seasons
4. Vancouver \u2013 60 seasons
5. Nashville \u2013 52 seasons
6. Salt Lake City \u2013 46 seasons<\/p>\n