Predicting the Next Buffalo Bills Head Coach

Sean McDermott is out after nine seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. McDermott compiled a 98-50 record in regular-season games and reached the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons. He got Buffalo to the AFC Championship Game twice but never reached the Super Bowl.

With McDermott’s departure, there are now just five head coaches that have been with their current teams for more than  five years: Andy Reid, Chiefs (hired in 2013); Sean McVay, Rams (2017); Kyle Shanahan, 49ers (2017); Matt LaFleur, Packers (2019); and Zac Taylor, Bengals (2019).

Reigning MVP Josh Allen will be 30 when the 2026 season begins. Will Allen still in his prime, the Bills’ job is clearly the most attractive of the current openings. Would John Harbaugh have taken the New York Giants job, or would Kevin Stefanski have taken the Atlanta Falcons job if they knew there’d be an opening in Buffalo?

As far as coaches that are still available, here are five candidates for the Bills job:

Brian Daboll

Daboll was a disappointing 20-40-1 in three-plus seasons with the Giants, but the key here is that Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator for the first four years of Allen’s career, 2018-21. It’s unclear how much input Allen will have on who gets hired, but Daboll would have to be a serious candidate if Allen lobbies on his behalf.

Mike McDaniel

Whether or not Allen makes a push for Daboll, it’s likely the Bills are looking to hire an offensive-minded head coach. Like Daboll, McDaniel was just fired after an unsuccessful first run as a head coach. Actually, McDaniel was above .500 in his four seasons with the Miami Dolphins (35-33). More importantly, McDaniel’s teams were always very competitive against the Bills. That likely made an impression on the Buffalo front office.

Mike McCarthy

McCarthy brings the offensive reputation and he’s also well prepared for coaching in the cold of Buffalo after spending 13 years on the frozen tundra of Green Bay. McCarthy also has more experience working with elite quarterbacks, given his time with both Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott.

Mike LaFleur

Speaking of experience with elite quarterbacks, LaFleur has been Matthew Stafford’s offensive coordinator the last three seasons. LaFleur has yet to be a head coach, but he’s got a solid lineage. In addition to being the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and currently working under Sean McVay, Mike LaFleur spent four years working on Kyle Shanahan’s staff with the 49ers.

Davis Webb

Looking for a wild card? Webb fits the bill as a longshot. He’s only one year older than Allen and he’s never been an offensive coordinator. Currently the Denver Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Webb was a backup quarterback as recently as 2022 — and he retired early because he wanted to get into coaching. Webb also spent three seasons on and off the Bills’ practice squad, so the team knows him.

Prediction for next Bills’ coach

Webb would be an intriguing reach, but this team needs an experienced leader. After coming close but falling short of the ultimate goal so many times, Buffalo’s Super Bowl window is closing. Mike McCarrhy has already won a Super Bowl, so he might be the best choice to help the Bills close the deal.