Bruce Arians believes that had he been the owner of the Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott would still be head coach following the surprising news of McDermott’s dismissal. During a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former NFL head coach expressed his disbelief regarding the decision, particularly in light of general manager Brandon Beane’s promotion on the same day McDermott was let go.
Arians was blunt in his critique, highlighting the Bills’ roster issues. He stated, “This one baffles me. How Brandon Beane got elevated and Sean McDermott got fired, that just blows my mind, because they didn’t have any damn players.” This comment underscores the heavy responsibilities that Beane, as the architect of the team’s roster, holds for the Bills’ performance.
Despite facing a challenging season, McDermott led the Bills to a record of 12-5, marking one of his more successful coaching years. Arians commended McDermott as “one of the best coaches in the league” and praised his leadership, stressing that the team had come close to achieving what they set out for. He expressed confusion over McDermott’s firing, noting that the final outcomes of games are often influenced by factors outside a coach’s control, such as officiating.
The debate about the Bills’ decision was reignited shortly after McDermott’s firing, as CBS Sports NFL writer Zach Pereles pointed out that the blame for the team’s inability to secure a Super Bowl appearance should largely fall on Beane’s shoulders.
When pressed during a press conference regarding the rationale behind keeping Beane while firing McDermott, Bills owner Terry Pegula firmly rejected the idea of Beane being involved in any “power play.” Pegula asserted, “I’m the kind of guy, if I sense you’re on a power play, you’re out,” establishing his commitment to a unified team environment.
Pegula explained that his decision revolved around the perception of success linked to the players, pointing out that the team’s acquisition of quarterback Josh Allen was due to Beane’s determined efforts during the draft process. Despite McDermott’s successful record — 98 wins in nine seasons, the second-most in NFL history for a coach in their first nine years — Pegula’s choice to part ways with him raises questions about future performance under a new leadership structure.
The future of the Bills is now uncertain as they navigate the next steps following McDermott’s departure. If the next coach struggles as a result of the existing roster deficiencies, there may be a reckoning for Pegula regarding whether the decision to fire McDermott was indeed the right one.