Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has helped transform the franchise from an NFL laughingstock into a perennial championship contender. Yet, his future status remains up in the air as the organization attempts to hunt down its first Super Bowl title.

Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports listed McDermott as one of the five NFL head coaches on the hot seat entering the 2025 season. Sullivan noted the Bills haven’t been able to “get over the hump” under the 51-year-old Nebraska native despite seven playoff appearances during his tenure.

“With a loaded roster headlined by NFL MVP Josh Allen, McDermott has been under scrutiny for not being able to get his team to that next level,” Sullivan wrote. “If he cannot break through that ceiling yet again in 2025, it may force the Buffalo brass to seriously consider finding a new leader who may have a better chance to take the franchise up a notch.”

McDermott was joined on the hot seat list by the Indianapolis Colts‘ Shane Steichen, Cincinnati Bengals‘ Zac Taylor, Miami Dolphins‘ Mike McDaniel, and New York Giants‘ Brian Daboll, who was the Bills’ offensive coordinator before taking over the G-Men.

Bills’ Sean McDermott Listed on 2025 NFL Hot Seat

McDermott’s Buffalo Track Record

The McDermott debate is tricky because there are two legitimate views of the situation.

On one hand, supporters will point to the nearly two decades of terrible football before he arrived. The Bills endured a 17-year playoff drought while cycling through coaches (and quarterbacks) at a rapid rate. A Super Bowl was nowhere in the realm of possibility.

McDermott quickly changed the culture in Buffalo. The team reached the playoffs during his first year in charge. He’s compiled an 86-45 record (.656 win percentage) across eight seasons, including an active six-year streak with at least 10 victories

In addition, the Bills finally found their franchise quarterback in Allen under the leadership of McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. Although it hasn’t resulted in a title yet, it’s the biggest piece of the puzzle in place for the long haul.

The former Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers assistant currently ranks 17th in NFL history for winning percentage among qualified head coaches. That’s two spots ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Andy Reid (.651), who’s been a thorn in the Bills’ side during recent playoff runs

So, McDermott surely deserves praise for what he’s built from the ground up in Buffalo. However, the question is, how much weight does regular-season success carry? It’s a particularly pressing question if a championship remains elusive for another year.

Postseason Failures Can’t Be Overlooked

That’s where the other side of the coin comes into play. While McDermott and Co. have enjoyed ample prosperity from September to December, it hasn’t translated to January and February.

The Bills are 7-7 in the playoffs under the William & Mary product. Even more damning is the fact it’s often been the defensive-minded coach’s own unit letting the team down in the biggest moments.

Here’s a look at Buffalo’s postseason losses during the McDermott Era:

So the Bills have given up an average of 33.2 points in their past five playoff defeats. That’s unacceptable, and it rests heavily on the head coach’s shoulders.

Buffalo responded with the signing of star free-agent defensive end Joey Bosa and a defense-heavy draft. In turn, McDermott is running out of excuses if the unit fails on the big stage again.

What Does The Future Hold For Bills, McDermott?

Bills owner Terry Pegula is going to face an incredibly difficult decision if the organization comes up short this season. Anything less than a Super Bowl title should be considered a failure. The days of just being happy to make a deep run are over.

That said, is McDermott truly in danger if Buffalo is eliminated in the Divisional Round or later? Probably not. An exit in the Wild Card Round would be the toughest call. Missing the playoffs would likely guarantee the coach’s departure (unless an Allen injury totally derailed the campaign).

Pegula has watched what happens when you spend every few years in the coaching carousel. His other team, the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, has missed the playoffs 14 straight times. They have cycled through seven head coaches in that time, including two stints for current bench boss Lindy Ruff.

As a result, he’s likely going to err on the side of caution with McDermott. A larger portion of the fan base will grow frustrated each year that passes without the Lombardi Trophy. The Bills owner is probably going to remain patient with his current front office and coaching staff, though.

So, while McDermott isn’t completely safe, putting him inside the top five of the NFL’s hot seat group feels like a stretch ahead of the 2025 season.