The Buffalo Bills reached a fork in the road after losing to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round last weekend, as the team fired head coach Sean McDermott following nine years of service. The Bills’ brass’s decision seems to center on the fact that McDermott failed to get the Bills to the Super Bowl even once, despite sporting strong rosters, including a franchise quarterback in Josh Allen.
But there’s also a sense that politics was at play behind the scenes.
Bills GM Brandon Beane Strongly Dismisses ‘Power Play’ Claims After Sean McDermott Firing
The Bills’ continued failures to reach the Super Bowl led to certain hirings being questioned. While McDermott’s ability to break the glass ceiling was scrutinized, general manager Brandon Beane fell under a similar microscope.
The head coach was the one who ended up on the chopping block, sparking speculation of a power tussle between the two prominent figures. However, Beane addressed claims of him ‘winning a power play over McDermott’ in a press conference on Wednesday.
“That’s hurtful to hear that,” he said. “I would love for anyone making that accusation to walk in these doors and ask any player, coach, or trainer — people can disagree with draft picks that I make or people I sign — [but] those are harmful things.”
#Bills GM Brandon Beane gave a very passionate answer to people accusing him of winning a power play over Sean McDermott:
“That’s hurtful to hear that… I would love for anyone making that accusation to walk in these doors and ask any player, coach, or trainer… Those are… https://t.co/JpH19lQiqC pic.twitter.com/np9vyZmxxe
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
Beane expressed deep disappointment with the ‘power play’ narrative. He referenced past instances in which his actions demonstrated a strong relationship with the former Bills coach.
“I walk in the door, and my wife’s got tears down her face for [such accusations],” he added. “And I’m gonna damn try hard to win a Super Bowl here, I am. But for someone to question my character like that is BS… If you remember, in 2023, there was an article written on Sean, accusing things — who stood up and defended him?”
McDermott faced heavy criticism late in his tenure with the Bills due to the team’s postseason shortcomings. However, Beane came to McDermott’s defense, affirming his trust in the head coach and dismissing claims that the franchise had “plateaued” under his rule. Bills owner Terry Pegula similarly maintained that there are no hard feelings between the organization and McDermott.
As for McDermott, the coach shouldn’t find it hard to land another job in the NFL. While a coordinator position is a strong possibility, taking on another head coaching role is also on the table. He’s an experienced leader with an impressive 98-50 coaching record, making him a highly valued candidate for any team looking to build in a different direction. The coming weeks could provide exciting updates on his road forward.
