Sean McDermott's Bills Job Security Reportedly Eyed by NFL Insiders Ahead of Playoffs

Sean McDermott has led the Buffalo Bills to seven consecutive playoff appearances, but there is reportedly at least some discussion among NFL sources about whether he could be on the hot seat if Buffalo suffers an early postseason exit.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, some people "around the league have wondered" if Bills ownership might "grow impatient" with McDermott if the team doesn't go on a deep playoff run this season, especially since the Kansas City Chiefs aren't standing in their way.

The Bills have not made it past the AFC Championship Game during McDermott's tenure, and the Chiefs have been the biggest reason why.

Over their past five playoff appearances, the Bills have been eliminated by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on four occasions. That includes a 32-29 loss in last season's AFC Championship Game.

The Chiefs fell off the map this season, though, as they are 6-10 and recently lost Mahomes to a torn ACL. That makes the Bills the most experienced and battle-tested playoff team in the AFC this season.

While that would make Buffalo the Super Bowl favorite under normal circumstances, this season has featured plenty of ups and downs for the 11-5 Bills.

Buffalo has already clinched a playoff spot entering Week 18, but last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles allowed the New England Patriots to clinch the AFC East, ending the Bills' five-year reign as division champs.

▶️  Full Eagles-Bills Recap

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That means the Bills will have to start the playoffs on the road, and in order to reach the Super Bowl, they may have to win three straight road games.

The surface-level numbers suggest the Bills should still be a force to be reckoned with. They rank fifth in the NFL in total offense and sixth in scoring offense, plus they are second in the league with 156.4 rushing yards per game behind running back James Cook.

Buffalo also ranks eighth in total defense, 12th in scoring defense and first in passing yardage allowed per game.

On top of that, the Bills boast the reigning NFL MVP in quarterback Josh Allen, although things haven't come as easily for him this season as they did in 2024.

Allen still has 39 total touchdowns entering Week 18, but he has thrown 10 interceptions compared to six last season, and he has been sacked 40 times compared to just 14 last season.

A lack of reliable options in the passing game is perhaps the biggest reason for the drop-off, and it is fair to wonder if Buffalo can go the distance without a stud pass-catcher.

Additionally, the Bills defense has been a sieve against the run, ranking 29th with 140.4 yards allowed per game on the ground.

The dichotomy between the good and bad of Buffalo's team means a huge range of outcomes is possible, but if the Bills are unable to break through with a Super Bowl appearance this season, at least some scrutiny of McDermott's position may be warranted.