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Black Monday has come two weeks late for the Bills, who have fired head coach Sean McDermott two days after losing to the Broncos in the AFC divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
There have now been a record 10 NFL coaches out this cycle (including those dismissed during the regular season), tying the previous high mark for coaching vacancies, which most recently happened after the 2021 season. Two teams have already hired new coaches—the Giants bringing on John Harbaugh and the Falcons signing Kevin Stefanski—so there are now eight openings.
McDermott had two years remaining on his contract, which was most recently extended in 2023. He leaves Buffalo with a 106–58 record, including playoffs. Since he was hired in 2017, the Bills missed the postseason just once (2018), but failed to reach a Super Bowl, appearing in two AFC Championship games.
Bills GM Brandon Beane, who was hired the same year as McDermott, will lead the team’s search for a new coach. Beane’s contract was extended at the same time as McDermott’s in 2023, and his deal runs through 2027.
Beane and McDermott drafted star quarterback Josh Allen in 2018 with the No. 7 pick. Last offseason, the Bills signed Allen to a new six-year, $330 million contract through the 2030 season. Throughout the next four seasons, Allen is set to have salary cap hits of $56.4 million (2026), $53.1 million (2027), $59.3 million (2028), and $86.1 million (2029). There is a potential out in that contract after the 2029 season, according to Spotrac.
McDermott’s firing means the Bills will move into their new $2.2 billion stadium next season with fresh leadership on the field. The new Highmark Stadium, also in Orchard Park, will have a capacity of roughly 62,000, which is smaller than the 71,000 fans that can fit in Buffalo’s current venue.
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