Ex-Bills Coach Sean McDermott Turns Down New NFL Job

The former Buffalo Bills head coach was offered a position with another team but decided to take a year off instead.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has turned down a new position with an unnamed NFL team, according to reports. McDermott, who was let go by the Bills earlier this year after nine seasons, is expected to take a year off from coaching before reassessing his options in 2027.

Why it matters

McDermott's decision to decline the new job offer suggests he may be looking to step away from the NFL for a period of time, potentially to recharge or explore other opportunities outside of coaching. This could have implications for his future in the league, as well as the coaching landscape more broadly.

The details

According to a report from Fox Sports' Greg Auman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had reached out to McDermott about joining their coaching staff under head coach Todd Bowles. However, McDermott opted to turn down the position and is expected to take 2026 off from coaching.

  • On January 19, 2026, the Buffalo Bills parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott after a divisional round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.
  • In late January 2026, the Buccaneers contacted McDermott about joining their coaching staff.

The players

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was let go by the team in January 2026 after nine seasons.

Todd Bowles

The current head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who reached out to McDermott about joining his coaching staff.

Josh Allen

The starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, who McDermott coached for several seasons.

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was promoted from offensive coordinator after McDermott's departure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“At the end of the day, this is Josh Allen's offense. You're going to put together the offense around the guys that you've got... There'll be some elements of things that I believe in, but it's more of like, tell me who we have on our football team and the guys and what they can do well and we're going to do that.”

— Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills Head Coach (May 2024)

What’s next

McDermott is expected to take the 2026 season off from coaching to reassess his options, with the possibility of returning to the NFL in 2027.

The takeaway

McDermott's decision to turn down a new NFL job offer and take a year off suggests he may be looking to step away from the league for a period of time, potentially to recharge or explore other opportunities outside of coaching. This could have significant implications for his future in the NFL, as well as the broader coaching landscape.