Is the Bills Head Coach a Top 10 Head Coach or a Bust?
CBS Sports recently ranked all of the NFL teams' head coaches. Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills head coach, came in 12th in 2024, and he was ranked ninth. The reasoning: that McDermott “routinely shepherded talented Bills teams to the playoffs, only to be ousted by comparable foes on the doorstep of the ultimate game.” While the Bills can often snag a division win, when it comes to the Super Bowl, the team typically falls short.
Many coaching mistakes stem from the organization's poor handling of late-game situations and clock management. Whenever the game clock hits “13 seconds,” every Bill's mafia member stirs in their seats, referencing one of McDermott's largest shortcomings against the Chiefs in 2021. With 13 seconds left in regulation, the Bills led the Chiefs 36-33. However, due to poor defensive strategy and clock management by McDermott, the Chiefs were able to gain 44 yards in just two plays, ultimately winning the game in overtime, costing the Bills yet another chance to make it to the Super Bowl. McDermott has yet to carry the Bills past the Chiefs in the playoffs, leading many to wonder if he is capable of handling such high-pressure situations.
Bringing his ranking back up, McDermott has proven to be an extremely strong regular-season coach. Since taking over in 2017, he has led the Bills to six playoff appearances and maintained a winning record since 2019. The team has also managed to claim the AFC East title for five consecutive seasons under McDermott’s lead. With Josh Allen leading McDermott's pack, it is without a doubt the team that will square away another impressive regular season.
This upcoming season is crucial for McDermott to redeem his reputation and improve his coaching ranking for the upcoming year. To do so, careful clock management is essential to ensure no late-game slip-ups, potentially costing a win. He’ll need to once again guide his team to playoff contention, finally surpassing the Chiefs and avoiding previous postseason errors in high-pressure situations. With many new defensive weapons, all eyes will be on the bills at training camp for a new defensive strategy and game management. If he can navigate these challenges successfully, we may see a rise in McDermott's ranking.
