Sean

McDermott

The Bills played the long game in the first round of the draft, trading down once from 28 to 32 and then again from 32 to 33. A receiver was drafted with the pick they gave up both times. The Bills, in need of a wideout themselves, reportedly have multiple players they “really like” at No. 33. If that’s the case, they could move down once again and still have a shot at landing one of their guys.

After the sudden departure of Leslie Frazier last offseason, McDermott took over play-calling for the Bills’ defense and helped lead them to a top-five finish in points allowed and a top-10 finish in yards allowed per game. If it’s not McDermott calling plays, that duty would be handed over to defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, who was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this offseason. Babich has been with the Bills since 2017 but has never held a defensive coordinator title at any level.

The game had initially been postponed from Sunday at 1 p.m. ET to Monday due to a travel ban in Western New York. A snowstorm led to white out conditions in Buffalo that made playing the game and getting to the field near impossible. There was some concern that the continued snowstorm in Buffalo would cause the game to be delayed again, but New York Governor Kathy Hochul shot that down on Sunday. “The game will not be pushed back again.” Governor Hochul says conditions should be much better than would’ve been this afternoon. Temperature will be in teens but not as much blowing snow.

It’s a vote of confidence for McDermott and Beane, who have made the Bills perennial contenders in the tough AFC over the past three seasons. Buffalo has notched 37 regular season wins since 2020, among the most in the NFL. With Josh Allen entering his age-27 season, Beane and McDermott would seem to have at least a few more years in their Super Bowl window.

The Bills announced at the NFL scouting combine that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier would be taking a leave of absence in 2023. McDermott was already on record saying the team doesn’t intend to bring in an outside candidate to fill the position, but he doubled down on that sentiment at the owners meeting. A former defensive coordinator of the Panthers (2011-2016) prior to joining the Bills in 2017, McDermott is more than familiar with calling defensive plays. He also added that he has confidence in the defensive staff and that he can “toss it to them from time to time” if needed.

On a wildly windy and frigid night, the Bills generated 230 yards (four yards per play) and ten points, with a single field goal in the second half. “I don’t think, honestly, we took advantage of opportunities tonight, I really don’t,” McDermott told reporters after the game. “We were one for four in the red zone. We have to figure that part of it out.” Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s red-hot 2020 offense has curdled in 2021, along with every other productive NFL offense, hampered by coverages designed to stop downfield plays. The Bills are averaging about 20 fewer yards per game and 3.5 fewer points per game than they were in 2020. Daboll’s job is likely safe from the remainder of 2021, but McDermott’s dissatisfaction about Daboll’s offense will be something to watch at season’s end.

That is because the Bills’ Week 5 Sunday game against the Titans is being moved to Tuesday 10/13. In theory, it’s not a big deal for the Bills since they were already planning for a short-week Week 6 tilt, but the Chiefs now get a full week of rest. That is not nothing in the battle for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. All of this is contingent on no more positive COVID-19 tests for the Titans.

McDermott was given a five-year deal when he was hired ahead of the 2017 season, so he was signed through at least 2021. This new six-year deal was well deserved. McDermott is truly one of the game’s better coaches and has turned the Bills into a legit contender. He’s guided Buffalo to the playoffs two of his three seasons at the helm, and the Bills are viewed as the favorites in the AFC East this season. 46-year-old McDermott has a 25-23 record across three seasons. Next up will be getting a playoff win after going 0-2 to this point.

McDermott took over play-calling duties midway through Sunday’s blowout loss to the Chargers. Speaking Monday, he tiptoed around whether the move would be permanent. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to win,” McDermott said. “Sometimes you’re able to get into a flow. Sometimes somebody else, you feel like, can get into a flow. That was really where it came from.” A “hot hand” approach at defensive coordinator is a new one. We would consider McDermott the team’s primary defensive play-caller until further notice.

With the Panthers earning a first-round bye for the playoffs, the interview will take place on Saturday in Charlotte. McDermott, 39, has been the Panthers’ defensive boss the past three seasons under coach Ron Rivera. Prior to that, he spent 12 seasons in Philadelphia learning under legendary DC Jim Johnson. Carolina boasted the league’s No. 2 overall defense in the regular season.