Stephen A. Smith Slams Buffalo Bills for 'Unbelievable' Sean McDermott Firing
The Buffalo Bills have officially entered a new era, but not without a firestorm of criticism from the national media. Following the team's stunning decision to fire head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has voiced his absolute disbelief, labeling the reasoning provided by Bills owner Terry Pegula as "unbelievable."
Terry Pegula's Reasoning for the Firing
During a press conference on Wednesday, Terry Pegula explained that the decision to move on from McDermott was sparked by the results of the Bills' 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. Pegula painted a vivid picture of a "listless" locker room in Denver, describing the sight of star quarterback Josh Allen sobbing with his head down as a turning point.
“I felt his pain,” Pegula said, noting that he felt the organization needed a "new structure within our leadership" to reach the next level. While Pegula acknowledged McDermott's success in ending the franchise's playoff drought, he emphasized that the repeated postseason failures made a change necessary. Pegula even alluded to a controversial officiating call during the Denver game, but ultimately stated that the team could not continue on its current path.
Stephen A. Smith Calls McDermott a 'Scapegoat'
Reacting to the news on First Take, Stephen A. Smith didn't hold back. He argued that the Sean McDermott firing is a case of a coach being unfairly blamed for roster deficiencies that fall under the responsibility of the front office. Smith was particularly critical of the decision to promote General Manager Brandon Beane to President of Football Operations while firing the coach.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. I think he’s being scapegoated,” Smith declared. “Why isn’t Beane gone? He’s the one who didn’t have the assets necessary in order for the Buffalo Bills to advance.” Smith pointed out that while Josh Allen is an "absolute stud," the team has consistently failed to surround him with enough elite weapons, specifically at the wide receiver position, following the departure of key targets in previous seasons.
The Roster Construction Debate
Smith's argument centered on the idea that coaching can only take a team so far if the talent on the field is outmatched. He questioned why Brandon Beane was not held to the same standard of accountability as McDermott, given that Beane is responsible for the personnel decisions. "If you don't get it done with all the weapons, I understand," Smith noted, "but we've seen this team overachieve because they didn't have all the parts necessary."
The Legacy of Sean McDermott in Buffalo
Despite the lack of a Super Bowl appearance, McDermott leaves Buffalo as one of the most successful coaches in franchise history. His tenure was marked by consistent regular-season dominance and a culture shift that turned the Bills into perennial contenders. He took over a franchise in 2017 that had not seen the playoffs in 17 years and immediately changed the mindset of the organization.
- Regular Season Record: 98-50 (.662 winning percentage)
- Postseason Record: 8-8
- Playoff Appearances: 8 in 9 seasons
- Division Titles: 5 AFC East titles
McDermott’s .662 winning percentage is the best in Bills history, surpassing even the legendary Marv Levy. However, the inability to get past the Divisional Round and AFC Championship games—often in heartbreaking fashion like the "13 seconds" loss to Kansas City—ultimately created a ceiling that Pegula felt the team could not break through under current leadership.
What’s Next for the Buffalo Bills?
With McDermott out, Brandon Beane will lead the search for a new head coach. The Bills remain one of the most attractive destinations in the NFL due to the presence of Josh Allen, who remains in the prime of his career. As the team prepares to move into its new $2.2 billion stadium next season, the pressure to find a leader who can finally deliver a Lombardi Trophy to Western New York has never been higher.
As for McDermott, reports suggest he intends to continue coaching and will likely be a top candidate for several of the other head coaching vacancies across the league. His resume, featuring nearly 100 wins and a consistent track record of reaching the postseason, ensures he won't be on the market for long.
