Despite a 3-2 start to the 2024 NFL season and a seat at the top of the AFC East standings, it might be time to commence the “hot seat” conversation for Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
That’s at least according to multiple insiders around the league who recently discussed the Bills’ situation on an ESPN roundtable column, in which Jeremy Fowler ventured to say that he “got multiple texts from people involved in the hiring cycle asking whether McDermott would be on the hot seat.”
Asking his peers if it was time to start talking about it, fellow insider Dan Graziano confirmed he had also received similar texts.
“Yessir, the texts are certainly flying on that one,” Graziano replied. “The Buffalo job is definitely the early leader for ‘Job that potential head coach candidates and their agents hope comes open.”
Graziano added, however, that the speculation about McDermott’s job security usually comes from outside the organization as opposed to from within.
“But I have never once heard from inside the Bills’ organization that moving on from him has ever been a consideration. Could that change? Heck yeah it could, and if it does, prospective coaches will be lining up for a chance to work with Josh Allen and work for ultra-rich, patient ownership. As of now, though, I don’t think McDermott is in any immediate danger.
– D. Graziano
As long as the Bills keep on winning, it’s difficult to envision McDermott getting fired anytime soon. But sequences like Sunday’s against the Houston Texans will only add fuel to the fire anytime it happens.
McDermott’s game management was put into question as he opted to be aggressive in the final seconds of regulation with the Bills offense being backed up with the score 20-20 instead of forcing the Texans to use their three timeouts. After a three and out, the Bills safeties were 25 yards deep even though the Texans needed a handful of yards to get into game-winning field goal range.
It isn’t the first time when people have wondered about how much gameday advantage the Bills get out of McDermott. And yet, as insiders have pointed out, it’s clear he’s a big reason why Buffalo has been a contender all these years. Chances are he’s well regarded in the organization still.