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Bills fire Sean McDermott after nine seasons, playoff success but no Super Bowl

Buffalo reached the postseason eight times under McDermott but never broke through, losing six playoff games by one possession.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacts during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/RJ Sangosti) (Rj Sangosti, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Just when it seemed the offseason firing cycle had finally cooled off, the Buffalo Bills detonated a bombshell Monday morning.

Less than 48 hours after their latest playoff heartbreak, the franchise decided it was time to move in a different direction.

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As if the Bills weren’t already synonymous with postseason pain, the Josh Allen–Sean McDermott era came to define a cruel version of “so close, yet so far.”

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Buffalo reached the playoffs in seven straight seasons after Allen’s rookie year, often with ease. Getting there was never the problem.

What followed always was.

Chokes. Mishaps. Microscopic breaks that never tilted the Bills’ way. Each loss felt more deflating than the last.

None loomed larger than Kansas City: four playoff defeats to the Chiefs in a five-year span from 2020 to 2024. Over that stretch, the Chiefs collected two Super Bowl titles and cemented themselves as a modern dynasty—while the ever-passionate fans in Upstate New York continued their long search for Lombardi Trophy No. 1.

Always the bridesmaid. Never, ever the bride.

And now, one of the most successful coaches in franchise history has packed his bags.


Here are all the coaching changes that have been made:

Total coach firings: 10

Head coaching positions filled: 2 (Giants, Falcons)

The latest firing

Bills fire Sean McDermott

Seasons with team: 9 (2017-25)

Overall record: 98-50

Best season: 2020 (13-3 record, 1st place in AFC East, lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Championship Game)

Playoff record: 8-8

Other firings after Black Monday

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin steps down

Seasons with team: 19 (2007-25)

Overall record: 193-114-2

Best season: 2008 (12-4 record, 1st place in AFC North, defeated Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII)

Playoff record: 8-12

Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel

Seasons with team: 4 (2022-25)

Overall record: 35-33

Best season: 2023 (11-6 record, 2nd place in AFC East)

Playoff record: 0-2

Ravens fire John Harbaugh

Seasons with team: 18 (2008-25)

Overall record: 180-113

Best season: 2012 (10-6 record, 1st place in AFC North, defeated San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII)

Playoff record: 13-11 (1-0 in Super Bowls)

Black Monday head coach firings

Falcons fire Raheem Morris

Seasons with team: 2 (2024-25)

Overall record: 16-18

Best season: 2024 (8-9 record, 2nd place in NFC South)

Playoff record: 0-0

NEW HEAD COACH HIRED: The Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski (former Browns head coach) to be their new head coach.

Browns fire Kevin Stefanski

Seasons with team: 6 (2020-25)

Overall record: 45-56

Best season: 2020 (11-5 record, 3rd place in AFC North, 1 playoff win)

Playoff record: 1-2

Raiders fire Pete Carroll

Seasons with team: 1 (2025)

Overall record: 3-14

Best season: 2025 (3-14 record, 4th place in AFC West)

Playoff record: 0-0

Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon

Seasons with team: 3 (2023-25)

Overall record: 15-36

Best season: 2024 (8-9 record, 3rd in NFC West)

Playoff record: 0-0

In-season head coach firings

Titans fire Brian Callahan

Fired on Oct. 13, 2025, after 1-5 start to 2025 season

Seasons with team: 2 (2024-25)

Overall record: 4-19

Best season: 2024 (3-14 record, 4th place in AFC South)

Playoff record: 0-0

Giants fire Brian Daboll

Fired on Nov. 10, 2025, after 2-8 start to 2025 season

Seasons with team: 4 (2022-25)

Overall record: 20-40-1

Best season: 2022 (9-7-1 record, 3rd place in NFC East, 1 playoff win)

Playoff record: 1-1

NEW HEAD COACH HIRED: The Giants have hired John Harbaugh (former Ravens head coach) to be their new head coach.


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