Several current and former Bills players publicly supported McDermott, including Jordan Poyer, Jordan Phillips, Damar Hamlin, and Dion Dawkins. Dawkins offered a heartfelt tribute on X, praising McDermott as a true leader and expressing admiration for the coach’s influence.
Not every former Bills defender shared that view. Jerry Hughes, who spent nine seasons with Buffalo—including five under McDermott—took aim at the decision, arguing McDermott should have been fired after the 2021 playoff loss to Kansas City. Hughes referenced the infamous “13 seconds” moment and criticized the coach’s late-game strategy, suggesting the decision to dismiss McDermott was warranted in his view.
As the Bills move forward, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the team’s Head Coach search has narrowed to four candidates, with an emphasis on offense. The list includes Davis Webb, Brian Daboll, Joe Brady, and Grant Udinski, signaling a potential shift toward an offensive-minded leader.
Among the updates, Buffalo reportedly interviewed former quarterback Davis Webb after the AFC Championship, when Broncos loss to the Patriots ended their playoff run. Udinski’s status remains fluid: he recently pulled out of the Browns’ head-coaching pursuit and re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the possibility of returning to Buffalo if a head coaching opportunity doesn’t materialize.
The Bills remain in the early stages of their coaching search, underscoring a focus on offense while navigating mixed fan sentiment and public comments from former players. No formal hires have been announced, and the team continues to weigh four candidates as it charts its next direction.
