HC Sean McDermott Fires Back at Team Executives’ Criticism Over Playoffs and Super Bowl

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is no stranger to criticism, but this time the heat has come from higher up the ladder. After reports surfaced that team executives and ownership raised concerns about the Bills’ repeated playoff shortcomings, McDermott delivered a firm — and fiery — response: Buffalo is not backing down from championship expectations.

McDermott has already been under the microscope since the Bills’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2025. Fan sentiment boiled over across social media platforms, with calls for his dismissal trending on X and fiery debates flooding Reddit. One viral post raged: “FIRE SEAN MCDERMOTT INTO THE SUN,” while another questioned: “When the Bills don’t make the SB again this season, what will the excuse be?”

Though some defended him — noting he has taken Buffalo further than any coach since Marv Levy — the noise became impossible to ignore. And now, according to reports, internal voices from within the front office have echoed similar frustrations, pointing to clock management issues and recurring postseason losses to Kansas City.

McDermott didn’t mince words when asked about the executive-level criticism.

“This is Buffalo. Expectations aren’t a burden here — they’re a standard. I hear the voices, I hear the criticism, even from within. But let me be clear: we’re not lowering the bar. Our goal is playoff wins, our goal is the Super Bowl. Period.”

The coach emphasized that while scrutiny is part of the job, his belief in the roster remains unwavering. “We’ve built this team to compete at the highest level. We respect accountability, but we won’t let doubt — from the outside or the inside — define us.”

The Bills enter the 2025 season with high stakes and even higher expectations. Questions about defensive depth from the preseason have added pressure, but with Josh Allen in his prime and key roster moves in place, Buffalo’s championship window is still open.

For McDermott, the message was unmistakable: executives, ownership, fans — everyone wants more. And he intends to deliver.

“Talk won’t win us anything,” McDermott added. “Only football will. And when January comes, we’ll be ready to prove it.”