The coaching carousel never really stops. Even for big names fresh off a high-profile firing. One NFC contender quietly explored a move that could have shaken up the 2026 landscape, but it never got that far.
Sean McDermott Linked to Buccaneers as Tampa Bay Explores Major Defensive Shift
According to FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached out to former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott about potentially joining Todd Bowles’ coaching staff.
“Bucs talked to ex-Bills coach Sean McDermott to check about joining Todd Bowles’ staff,” Auman posted on X, adding that McDermott is “expected to take this year off and re-assess his options in 2027.”
The outreach came as the Buccaneers reworked its staff following a disappointing 2025 season. After starting strong, the Buccaneers collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs after finishing on the wrong side of a tiebreaker. Bowles responded with sweeping changes, dismissing multiple assistants and overseeing further turnover through retirements.
Bucs talked to ex-Bills coach Sean McDermott to check about joining Todd Bowles’ staff, but he’s expected to take this year off and re-assess his options in 2027. McDermott overlapped with Jason Licht with Eagles 2003-07 and interviewed for Bucs’ HC job in 2016.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 28, 2026
Still, one thing hadn’t been expected to change. Bowles has handled the defense himself since being promoted from coordinator to head coach in 2022, and as of early January, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported he did not plan to hire a defensive coordinator.
That stance was shared before McDermott became available, though the brief contact suggests the Buccaneers at least explored the idea once circumstances changed.
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McDermott’s resume makes the interest logical. He brings nine years of head coaching experience, eight playoff appearances, and a 98–50 career record. While he never reached the Super Bowl, he ended the Bills’ 17-year playoff drought and twice came within one game of the sport’s biggest stage, both times losing to Kansas City.
There are also deep organizational ties. McDermott worked alongside Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2003 to 2007. He also interviewed for the Buccaneers’ head coaching job back in 2016, long before Bowles took over.
Despite that history, the timing wasn’t right. McDermott was dismissed by the Bills following a Divisional Round overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, and by the time he hit the market, most head coaching searches were already nearing completion. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that he still intends to coach again and could “emerge as a head coaching candidate” in a future cycle.
For now, stepping away appears to be the plan. With the league set to tie an all-time record with 10 head coaching changes this offseason, McDermott may prefer to wait for the next wave of openings in 2027 rather than rush into the wrong fit.
The Buccaneers’ interest shows his value hasn’t dipped. It’s just on pause.
