The Buffalo Bills fired Sean McDermott because the team had hit the “proverbial playoff wall” according to owner Terry Pegula. Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane met with the media Wednesday morning, and the owner shared how he came to his decision.
Terry Pegula decided to fire Sean McDermott in the Denver locker room
“My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver,” opened Pegula. “I want to take you in the locker room after that game. I looked around and the first thing I noticed was our quarterback with his head down crying.
I looked at all the other players, their faces, and the coaches.”
He continued talking about Bills QB Josh Allen and his reaction.
“I walked over to Josh. He didn’t even acknowledge I was there. I said ‘That was a catch.’ He didn’t acknowledge me. He was listless. He had given everything to win that game and looking around so had the other players.”
Pegula mentioned Allen’s press conference, as well, and the broken look on his quarterback’s face.
When pressed, Pegula said he made the decision in that moment and did not waver as the weekend.
“I believe it was where does the leadership of the team on the field and in the locker room. Where do we go from that moment? Another playoff failure. That’s why I decided that Sean had to leave.”
“I felt like we hit the provverbial playoff wall. 13 seconds, missed field goal, the catch [against the Broncos in overtime]. I did not fire him over a bad officiating call. I just sensed in that locker room, where do we go from here. And that was the basis for my decision.”
It’s clear that the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal for Pegula. Seven years in the playoffs was not good enough,.
Why fire Sean McDermott and not Brandon Beane?
Pegula went on to talk about the Bills’ sustained success to reiterate why he moved on from Sean McDermott and not Brandon Beane.
“5-2-3-2-2-2-6”
He listed the playoff seeding over the last seven years to demonstrate the sustained success.
“An organization doesn’t carry that kind of record without being a great organization and without having great players. It’s impossible to have that kind of results without having a good roster.”
“Our roster is a direct reflection of the hard work Brandon and our scouting staff has done over the years. One may complain over a deal, a player, a result. Bottom line success over a long period of time means we are doing something right.”
“You see teams that have a great year and then the next year the success doesn’t continue. You don’t get into the playoffs seven straight years without having talent and a great organization. And Brandon and his staff have brought in players regularly. I mean look at the injuries, we’re down to guys on the practice squad contributing in big games. You don’t do that without talent in the front office.”
