End of an Era
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Sean McDermott fundamentally changed the culture in Buffalo. When he arrived in 2017, the Bills were a directionless franchise mired in a 17-year playoff drought, cycling through head coaches and quarterbacks with little to no identity. McDermott brought stability, accountability, and a defensive-minded philosophy that quickly reshaped the organization. The Bills went from an afterthought in the AFC to a perennial contender, routinely winning double-digit games and becoming a fixture in the postseason.
That transformation alone deserves credit. McDermott helped develop Josh Allen from a raw, inaccurate prospect into one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in NFL history. He established a locker room built on discipline, culture, and belief—something Buffalo had lacked for nearly two decades. For several seasons, the Bills were viewed as one of the league’s most complete teams, capable of beating anyone on any given Sunday.
However, as the years went on, the standard changed. The goal was no longer to make the playoffs, but to win the Super Bowl. And that’s where McDermott’s tenure ultimately fell short. Similar to coaches like John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin—both excellent coaches with championship pedigrees—McDermott proved he could consistently field competitive teams. Still, he could never quite push this group over the hump when it mattered most.
In nine seasons with the Bills, McDermott compiled an impressive 98–50 regular-season record. Yet his 8–8 playoff record tells a more complicated story. Too often, Buffalo came up short in the biggest moments—falling to Kansas City, Cincinnati, and other AFC rivals who seemed better equipped for January football. Despite having an elite quarterback in Josh Allen and rosters that were widely considered Super Bowl-caliber, the Bills never reached the league’s biggest stage.
At some point, results matter more than process. McDermott is a great coach, and there’s little doubt he’ll land on his feet elsewhere and find success. But his time in Buffalo reached a ceiling. For a franchise with a generational quarterback and Super Bowl aspirations, “close” was no longer good enough. In the end, McDermott simply wasn’t the right fit to lead Josh Allen and the Bills to the ultimate goal: hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
What Happens to Brandon Beane?
Buffalo will retain general manager Brandon Beane, a clear indication that ownership believes the foundation of the roster remains strong and that the failures of recent seasons stem more from leadership and direction than from talent evaluation. Beane now finds himself tasked with one of the most important decisions in franchise history: identifying the next head coach capable of finally maximizing Josh Allen’s prime and pushing this team over the Super Bowl threshold.
Top Candidates
One potential path is continuity. The Bills could look inward and promote current offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Brady stabilized an offense that had grown stagnant, re-introducing creativity, balance, and rhythm while leaning into Josh Allen’s strengths rather than asking him to play hero ball on every snap. A Brady promotion would offer schematic consistency and limit the growing pains that often come with a full regime change. However, the question remains whether Brady has shown enough as a play-caller and leader to warrant being handed the keys to a Super Bowl-or-bust roster.
The alternative—and perhaps more intriguing—option is to look outside the building. At the top of my list this cycle is Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who remains on the market. Kubiak has earned a reputation for modernizing offenses while maintaining structure, balance, and efficiency—something Buffalo has lacked in high-leverage moments. His ability to marry the run and pass game, reduce turnovers, and create defined reads could be exactly what Josh Allen needs at this stage of his career. Of all the available candidates, Kubiak is one of the few I view as a clear overall upgrade from Sean McDermott, particularly in game management and offensive philosophy.
Another name worth serious consideration is Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase has quietly become one of the most respected rising minds in coaching circles, playing a key role in Sean McVay’s evolving passing attack. His background suggests an emphasis on spacing, timing, and adaptability—traits that could help Buffalo move away from reliance on individual brilliance and toward a more sustainable, system-driven offense. While less proven at the NFL coordinator level, Scheelhaase represents the type of forward-thinking hire that could pay dividends long term.
In Beane We Trust
Regardless of the direction Beane chooses, one thing feels clear: Buffalo needs an offensive-minded head coach. The league has shifted, and the Bills can no longer afford to pair a generational quarterback with a defensive-first head coach who delegates the offense. Josh Allen is the franchise, and the next hire must be built around maximizing his efficiency, decision-making, and longevity—not just his raw talent.
Only time will tell which path Buffalo takes, but this hire will define the next era of Bills football. Get it right, and the Super Bowl window stays wide open. Get it wrong, and Buffalo risks wasting the very thing it spent decades searching for: an elite quarterback in his prime.
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