The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era after firing head coach Sean McDermott following another playoff disappointment, and early reporting has already begun to shape the league-wide conversation around potential replacements. As Buffalo searches for the coach who can finally push the franchise past its postseason ceiling, a familiar name has emerged among NFL decision-makers.
Brian Daboll Emerges in Bills Coaching Rumors Following Sean McDermott Firing
The name most often being floated by NFL executives is former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Russini reported that Daboll, a Buffalo native who previously served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, has repeatedly come up in conversations around the league as a possible successor to McDermott.
Talking to NFL executives around the league about Buffalo’s next head coach options, the name that keeps coming up is a familiar one, a Buffalo native and someone Josh Allen loves: Brian Daboll.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 19, 2026
Daboll is also known to have a strong relationship with quarterback Josh Allen, a factor that carries significant weight given Buffalo’s long-term investment in its franchise passer.
Buffalo officially moved on from McDermott after nine seasons, keeping general manager Brandon Beane in place to lead the coaching search. The decision followed a 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round, extending a postseason pattern that ultimately defined McDermott’s tenure.
Despite consistent regular-season success, the Bills failed to reach the Super Bowl during McDermott’s run, twice losing in the AFC Championship Game and repeatedly falling short in high-leverage moments.
McDermott leaves Buffalo with a 98-50 regular-season record and an 8-8 postseason mark. His teams reached the playoffs in eight of nine seasons, including a 17-year drought that ended in 2017. Still, the Bills’ inability to break through in Josh Allen’s prime led ownership to make a calculated but risky change.
Daboll’s candidacy comes with nuance. He was fired by the Giants in November after a 2-8 start to his fourth season, finishing his New York tenure with a 20-40-1 record. After a promising 2022 season that included a playoff appearance, the Giants won just 11 games over the next two and a half years. New York cited sustained underperformance and unmet expectations when making the decision, though Schoen was retained.
Before his head coaching stint, Daboll was instrumental in Allen’s development in Buffalo, helping guide the quarterback from a raw prospect into an MVP-caliber player. That history is central to why his name continues to surface, even after an unsuccessful run in New York.
The Bills’ decision to retain Beane signals continuity at the top, while the coaching search reflects urgency. Allen will turn 30 this offseason, and Buffalo’s window remains open but finite. Whether the organization is willing to revisit a familiar face with mixed recent results remains to be seen.
At this stage, no formal interviews or decisions have been announced. Still, Daboll’s name circulating so quickly underscores how closely Buffalo’s next coaching hire will be tied to maximizing the remainder of Allen’s prime.
