Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has already expressed his desire for the 2026 NFL season.
After being fired in Buffalo after last year, McDermott said he plans to take a season off from NFL sidelines.
Even so, Pro Football Focus has already included him on one list. PFF noted 15 potential upcoming candidates to become head coaches in the near future and McDermott was among those mentioned:
McDermott was similar to Tomlin and Harbaugh in that his long-standing success wasn’t enough to retain his job. In January, McDermott was fired by the Bills after nine seasons in which he went 98-50 with eight playoff appearances.
One of McDermott’s Achilles heels included defense, ironically his coaching background. While Buffalo netted four top-10 finishes in EPA per play during McDermott’s tenure, its unreliable secondary and inconsistent pass-rush often proved insurmountable in the playoffs. The fact that McDermott only reached two AFC title games and never made it to the Super Bowl spurred the Bills to go in a different direction.
While McDermott’s time may have run its course in Buffalo, his stability is something that will still be highly sought after in 2027. After all, pairing an elite quarterback with an accomplished leader is something few can claim, and the Bills owned that for over five years.
As an experienced head coach, it comes as no surprise that McDermott will be a candidate… but when the time is right for him. One could assume he w eventually get a chance elsewhere in the NFL again because of his successful tenure with the Bills.
While McDermott will take off 2026, he also said this offseason he “absolutely” wants to coach again one day. It feels like it simply remains to be seen when and where that will be.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: PFF already watching former Bills coach Sean McDermott as HC candidate
