Bills Dump McDermott, Boost Beane Amid Playoff Woes

Buffalo Bills Hit the Reset Button, But Keep One Hand on the Wheel

After nine rollercoaster seasons, the Buffalo Bills have officially parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott. While McDermott is out, GM Brandon Beane is not only staying, he’s got a promotion. He’s now the team’s president of football operations, a move that’s raising more eyebrows than a Josh Allen hurdle attempt.

This decision has sparked a firestorm of debate in Bills Mafia and across the league. McDermott leaves with a 98-50 record, six playoff appearances, and a reputation for transforming the Bills from a punchline into a perennial contender. But when it came to January football, the Bills always seemed to miss that final piece, and now, Beane gets to find it, presumably without the coach he’s spent nearly a decade building a team with.

Beane Stays, But Should He?

Let’s call it what it is: the Beane-McDermott marriage had grown stale. What started as a power couple rebuilding Buffalo football turned into a cold war of personnel philosophy. McDermott’s defense-heavy, old-school approach clashed with Beane’s misfires in free agency and at wide receiver. Their roster looked like a 2018 time capsule, and when injuries mounted, so did the cracks in the foundation.

Beane’s offseason bravado hasn’t aged well either. His dismissive attitude toward the receiver market and his public digs at younger GMs who "play fantasy football" fell flat as teams like the Texans and Seahawks made bold, successful moves. Meanwhile, the Bills kept trotting out aging vets and watching their seventh-string corners get torched in high-leverage moments.

And let’s not forget the Von Miller signing. That was supposed to be the big-ticket move that pushed Buffalo over the top. Instead, Miller was a ghost in the playoffs, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. When it mattered, the Bills had no pass rush, no corners, and no answers.

McDermott’s Final Act: One of His Best

Ironically, McDermott might’ve gone out on one of his finest coaching performances. In the loss to Denver, he adjusted on the fly, sent timely pressure, and nearly pulled off another late-game comeback. He was coaching backups to backups and still had the Bills within a misfired Josh Allen throw of moving on. It was the kind of gritty, adaptive coaching that made him look like a chess master in a league full of checkers players.

But the NFL is a cold business. One missed throw, one dropped ball, or one controversial non-catch (looking at you, Brandin Cooks) can rewrite legacies. McDermott’s playoff record ends at 8-8. Not bad, but not enough. Especially when Allen is in his prime and the Super Bowl window is wide open.

The big question now is: who’s next? The Bills’ job is still one of the most attractive in the league. You get a top-tier QB, a stable ownership (for now), and a rabid fan base that will jump through tables for you. Names like Brian Daboll, Joe Brady, and even Davis Webb are floating around. But if Beane is calling the shots, don’t be surprised if the hire is someone he can keep on a short leash.

Betting the Conference Championships: Broncos, Pats, and the NFC Heavyweights

While Buffalo figures out its next steps, the rest of the league marches toward Super Bowl LVIII. And if you like chaos, this weekend has you covered.

In the AFC, the Patriots are 5.5-point road favorites over the Denver Broncos, led by none other than Jared Stidham. Yes, Stidham. He hasn’t started a game since 2022 and now he’s in the conference championship. Denver is the biggest home underdog in a title game since 1970, but don’t count them out just yet. Their defense is elite, especially against explosive plays, and the Patriots live and die by the deep ball. If Denver can limit the fireworks and win in the red zone, they’ve got a real shot to cover, or even win outright.

Over in the NFC, Seattle is laying 1.5 points at home against the Rams. This is shaping up to be a heavyweight fight. Both teams have looked like world-beaters at times, and both are built to go the distance. The Rams already handled Seattle once this season, and if Matthew Stafford’s knee holds up, they could do it again. But Seattle’s defense has improved, and this one could go either way. Bettors should keep an eye on injury reports and late line movement.

Speaking of wagers, the sharp play might just be broader: take the NFC to win the Super Bowl at -220. With the AFC’s best options being either a backup quarterback or a flawed New England squad, the NFC champion, whether it’s Seattle or LA, should be at least a touchdown favorite in Vegas. If you’re looking for value, that’s your ticket.

Takeaways

• Sean McDermott is out, but he leaves Buffalo with his head held high and likely more coaching offers ahead.
• Brandon Beane survives and levels up, despite his recent roster missteps and public miscalculations.
• The Bills job remains one of the best in football, with Josh Allen still in MVP form.
• The Broncos are live underdogs at +5.5, and Stidham might just be good enough to cover.
• Seattle and LA are NFC powerhouses, whoever wins should be a heavy Super Bowl favorite.
• Betting the NFC to win it all at -220 looks like strong value with the AFC limping toward Vegas.

The Bills may be shuffling the deck, but the poker game rolls on. Keep your chips close and your eyes on the board, this postseason’s just heating up.