The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, January 19. He had been with the organization since 2017.
McDermott is an example that winning in the regular season doesn't always keep you employed in the NFL. He had a 98-50 career record with the Bills during the regular season, but an even 8-8 in the playoffs. Despite the regular season success, McDermott never made it past the AFC Championship game with Buffalo.
The Bills franchise determined that he kept running into a postseason hump that he couldn't get past. Buffalo opted to try for something new in the future and fired McDermott. He now enters a head coaching market with several high-profile jobs available, and if he wants to go right into another gig immediately, he should have the opportunity.
Here is what you need to know about McDermott's next steps after being fired by Buffalo.
MORE: Why did Buffalo fire Sean McDermott?
Sean McDermott's best landing spots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Former head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after the Steelers were eliminated from the 2026 playoffs. Pittsburgh is going through just its fourth head coaching search since 1969. Franchise owner Art Rooney II talked in his press conference after Tomlin's decision about how it didn't occur to him to part with Tomlin because he brought consistency to the team, and he knew with Tomlin, they were going to win.
With Tomlin never having a losing season during his tenure, this is true. If Rooney truly values that consistency, McDermott should be a top candidate. McDermott was in Buffalo for nine years and made the playoffs in eight of them. He led Buffalo to five division titles in the last six years.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens fired John Harbaugh for similar reasons to why Buffalo fired McDermott. Baltimore felt that Harbaugh wasn't capitalizing on Lamar Jackson's prime, while the same could be said for Josh Allen. If the Ravens have interest in McDermott, he has shown consistency in reaching the postseason. With the Steelers having a history of going with someone who has never been a head coach before, the Ravens could go with the experienced McDermott with a great chance to take over the AFC North in 2026.
MORE: Ranking the best Sean McDermott replacements for Bills
Miami Dolphins
If you can't beat him, hire him. McDermott has a 16-3 record coaching against Miami. This move would be all about pettiness. The now-fired head coach would coach against Buffalo twice per season in Miami. The Dolphins have an interesting quarterback situation, and McDermott could either turn to Tua Tagovailoa or continue developing rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who took over for Tagovailoa late in 2025-2026.
Arizona Cardinals
What kind of job would McDermott want next? His resume should speak for itself, including his consistent playoff appearances with Buffalo. Arizona has made the postseason just once since 2015. The Cardinals could be in the market for a new quarterback if they don't feel confident in Kyler Murray, and they have the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could help to entice McDermott.
MORE: Which NFL coaches were fired in 2026?
Honorable Mention -- Tennessee Titans
The Titans are reportedly already having second and third interviews with candidates, and it remains to be seen if Tennessee will want to speak to the recently fired McDermott now that he is on the market.
Tennessee has strung together some bad seasons, but there are pieces that McDermott would be able to work with. He would be able to work with soon-to-be second-year quarterback Cam Ward, and would be able to influence who the Titans choose with the No. 4 pick. McDermott already helped the Bills to turn around their franchise fortunes, and he could help propel Tennessee up a very winnable AFC South.