News Bills Team Notes

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills K Matt Prater may be X-factor against Denver Broncos

When the Buffalo Bills hit the field against the Denver Broncos inside Empower Field at Mile High, they’ll do so with one of the league’s most experienced active kickers who spent seven campaigns in Denver between the 2007 and 2013 NFL seasons. Now 41, kicker Matt Prater may be in rarified air as someone well-suited to provide the stabilizing kicking force Buffalo needs to come out on top in the Divisional Round matchup on Saturday.

To understand why and how Prater won the starting role for the Bills, one needs to look back to the summer of 2025. Buffalo entered last offseason with the expectation that incumbent kicker Tyler Bass would reprise his role as a steady points producer, but then things veered off course. Bass suffered an injury to his hip and groin and wound up on Injured Reserve (IR) to start the 2025 regular season. In truth, Bass would never appear in a game with Buffalo this season, eventually undergoing surgery late in the campaign that officially ended his season.

When Bass’ injury first made headlines, many wondered what One Bills Drive’s next move would be, with little time and energy to spare in scouting kickers ahead of Week 1. Plenty of kickers made their way through the doors in hopes that something would stick. In the preseason, Buffalo signed and rookie kicker Caden Davis following Bass’ injury, and at one point had to call on running back Ray Davis to handle extra-point duties. But neither situation proved tenable, and Caden Davis didn’t survive initial 53-man roster cuts.

With Bass on IR at the outset, the Bills turned to the steely Prater ahead of Week 1 — a signing that proved fruitful for both sides. Prater never looked back, and he’s proven to be one of the Bills’ team MVPs this season. Prater finished the regular season converting 18 of 20 field goals, with a long of 52 yards; adding 46 extra points on 49 tries. Prater also booted 84 kickoffs, notching 11 touchbacks.

If it hadn’t been true already, Prater’s value was fully evident when he suffered a quadriceps and calf injury to his kicking leg towards the end of the regular season that kept him out of action in Weeks 16 and 17. That meant Buffalo once again had to hunt for a kicker, which created an opportunity for Michael Badgley — who brought concerns as someone mostly used to kicking indoors. Things didn’t go well for Badgley in two games played, with him missing an extra point and shanking a kickoff that resulted in a penalty.

Prater returned for Week 18, but he re-aggravated the quad injury in action against the New York Jets. As such, Prater entered the playoffs as “day to day,” and all eyes were on the Bills’ kicking situation ahead of last Sunday’s Wild Card matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ultimately, Buffalo didn’t need to turn to practice-squad kicker Matthew Wright since Prater was cleared to play.

Against the Jaguars, Prater showed no ill-effects of the quad injury, booting field goals of 50 an 47 yards, plus three extra points. Prater appears to have put the injury behind him, with the Bills’ latest injury report listing him as a full participant. It’s an important bit of news for a Buffalo special teams unit that’s experienced a lot of unrest with both kicking specialist roles.

Now, Prater gets the opportunity to show how valuable his time in Denver could be for a Buffalo team looking to advance to the AFC Championship game. Heading into his 11th playoff game in seven postseason campaigns amid a 19-year career, Prater brings plenty of experience in high-pressure moments as someone who’s seen it all at the position. That may prove to be a key factor for a Bills team hoping to put past postseason kicking woes firmly in the rearview mirror.

What’s clear is that the Bills have found steady strength behind legs of Matt Prater in 2025 and his postseason availability is paramount to Buffalo’s success moving forward.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...prater-may-be-x-factor-against-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills S Jordan Poyer, CB Maxwell Hairston ruled out vs Denver Broncos

The Buffalo Bills will head into their Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos without two important starting defensive players. On Thursday, head coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Jordan Poyer and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

It’s not ideal news for a Bills defense looking to slow down a Broncos offense that’s made a living with fourth-quarter comebacks during the 2025 NFL season. Fortunately for Buffalo, cornerback Tre’Davious White has been playing exceptional football, surrendering just three catches (including one touchdown), and a 33.2 passer rating allowed in the last five games (including playoffs), while earning a 90.7 coverage grade (first) with Pro Football Focus. White forced three pass breakups alone during the Wild Card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend.

Still, without Hairston, the Bills lose the one player on defense with speed to counter any offensive player a team fields. Hairston has been dealing with an ankle injury he sustained late in the fourth quarter of action against the New York Jets during Week 18. That injury sidelined Hairston for last weekend’s playoff game against the Jaguars, and now will cost him a second-consecutive postseason game.

Perhaps the bigger concern is Buffalo having to march on this weekend without Poyer, who’s played an instrumental role in the defensive backfield this season. While many outsiders balked at a reunion with Poyer, once re-acclimated and ready for action, he hit the field for injured safety Taylor Rapp and helped second-year safety Cole Bishop blossom into a true threat in the defensive backfield.

Poyer suffered the hamstring injury in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. It’s an injury that’s cost Poyer several games, but one that didn’t prevent him from suiting up against Jacksonville. However, Poyer re-aggravated the hamstring last weekend and was later ruled out against the Jaguars. That now leaves the Bills in a tough spot with Poyer inactive for Saturday’s playoff game.

The challenge comes in trying to account for Poyer’s loss, where last Sunday those snaps went to rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock. Things didn’t go well for Hancock against Jacksonville, with him looking lost and too many steps behind on most plays sent his way. Hancock’s efforts last Sunday resembled a bit of what Bishop suffered through prior to Poyer’s return.

It remains to be seen how One Bills Drive will tackle replacing Poyer on Saturday, whether that means a similar role to last Sunday’s for Hancock, or if someone among safeties Damar Hamlin, Darnell Savage, or Sam Franklin Jr. gets an opportunity. Perhaps the most likely scenario is that veteran defensive back Cam Lewis finds his way to a bigger role in the back seven and fills in at starting safety, but it’s important to note that he primarily works at nickel cornerback behind Taron Johnson.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-maxwell-hairston-ruled-out-vs-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills injuries: 5 players questionable for Divisional Round vs. Broncos

The Buffalo Bills last official injury report ahead of their Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos reads a bit like Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”: It’s a lengthy read with an ensemble cast. The Bills latest injury news covers 14 players, with five listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

---

Bills players ruled out vs. Broncos​

Earlier in the day, we covered the news that head coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle). It’s unfortunate news for regarding both players, but veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White has played fantastic football in his return to One Bills Drive as a starting boundary cornerback. The Bills do lose the element of speed that Hairston brings unlike anyone else on the team’s roster. As for Poyer, it’s a huge blow to the defensive backfield given the improved play since he re-entered the starting lineup to take over for injured safety Taylor Rapp.

As noted in in our other article on this front, it remains to be seen how One Bills Drive tackles replacing Poyer on Saturday, whether that means a similar role to last Sunday’s for Hancock, or if someone among safeties Damar Hamlin (more on him below), Darnell Savage, or Sam Franklin Jr. gets an opportunity. Perhaps the most likely scenario is that veteran defensive back Cam Lewis finds his way to a bigger role in the back seven and fills in at starting safety, but it’s important to note that he primarily works at nickel cornerback behind Taron Johnson.

Now, let’s run through the rest of Buffalo’s final injury report of the week…

Bills players whose injuries won’t sideline them vs. Broncos​

The encouraging news, as one would expect given the lack of breaking-new coverage this week, is that quarterback Josh Allen was again a full participant on Thursday and he has no injury designation for Saturday in Denver. In truth, Allen’s status was never in doubt even with a trio of injuries (foot/knee/throwing hand). Key for Allen against a potent Broncos defense will be limiting hits and over-extensions to each of those ailments.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee/calf), linebacker Matt Milano (ankle), plus defensive ends Greg Rousseau (back) and A.J. Epenesa were each listed as limited for every practice this week. Now, all four enter Saturday without any game designations. Regarding Kincaid, it’s a situation where the team continues to use a monitoring approach to allow him the flexibility to practice or sit out based on how he’s feeling each session.

In a similar regard, kicker Matt Prater (right quadriceps/right calf) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (neck) do not end the week of practice with game-day designations after having been limited and/or not practicing during this week. These are injuries that Prater and Thompson have been managing for a bit now, but Thompson had no designation for Tuesday’s walk-through session before being limited on Wednesday and Thursday.

Prater’s status was a bit unique this week, where he began prep by not practicing on Tuesday, then back to a full participant on Wednesday, before being listed as limited on Thursday. McDermott explained that while Prater was listed as a “DNP” on Tuesday (what he would have been in a full practice setting instead of a walk through), it was more about providing the necessary rest.

Bills players listed as questionable for Divisional Round​

The Bills list five players as questionable for Saturday against the Broncos, which includes two active players and each of the three players still on Injured Reserve (IR) but who had their 21-day practice windows open. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) practiced all week, though he did so in limited fashion — and that leaves his status as questionable this weekend. Running back Ty Johnson (ankle) was listed as a “DNP” for both Tuesday and Wednesday’s injury reports, but he logged a limited session on Thursday and enters Saturday as questionable to play.

As for the remaining players listed as questionable, they’re working their way back to playing shape within that 21-day practice window after being placed on IR. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps) practiced in limited fashion all week, but it’s important to note that the meniscus cleanup he had done is not a factor (and not listed) in his questionable playing status for Saturday. Safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow) were both able to practice in full for each session of the week, but they land on the final report as questionable for the Divisional Round.

Thursday injury report pic.twitter.com/mzZh2LBoln

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 15, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-questionable-for-divisional-round-vs-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills prepping for altitude of Denver Broncos stadium in AFC playoffs

The Buffalo Bills won’t be impacted by the weather in Denver this weekend when they play the Broncos in the Divisional Round. The Denver forecast calls for a typically normal winter day in Western New York without snow at around 40 degrees at kickoff. One environmental factor that could hinder Bills players is the altitude in Denver. The Bills have been prepping for it all week.

Dion Dawkins spoke with reporters Thursday about the team’s altitude chamber in the training facility.

“We go in there every day and I’m in there running, like I’m on one of those Nike commercials with the mask and stuff on,” Dawkins said. “The whole oxygen thing is, if you ever seen it, it’s just like a room … pumping air in it, almost like a hyperbaric chamber type of thing. That’s been a part of our routine this week … I just want to eliminate it from anything that could possibly shrink the armor. Just trying to stay ahead of it. Man, we’re in a one game season, and I don’t want it to [end] because of me.”

With Denver 5000 feet above sea level, the amount of oxygen in the air is less than what it is 600 feet above sea level in Buffalo. Doctors recommend curtailing your alcohol use and hydrate, something that shouldn’t be an issue with Bills players but fans may want to take heed.

Josh Allen played college football at Wyoming, which sits even higher than Denver at 7220 feet above sea level.

“Physically it’s going to challenge you. I think the best thing we can do is not really talk about it, not really think about it, and not making it a problem. Just going out there and doing our job, getting on the sideline and getting some oxygen if you need it. I know from first-hand experience it is an advantage, but to have that mindset and understanding that it’s going to be tough but we gotta fight through it.”

Cole Bishop’s time at Utah (4600 feet above sea level) made him appreciate the difference in the air, as well. He said he’s confident his teammates have been working through it.

It didn’t impact the Bills in 2020 when they blew out the Broncos in Denver by a 48-19 score to secure the team’s first AFC East division title since the 1990s. Josh Allen threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns adding two rushing touchdowns with 33 yards on the ground. Dawson Knox caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Ed Oliver and Tre’Davious White had sacks, with White forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-stadium-afc-playoffs-thin-air-stamina-oxygen

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills OC Joe Brady to interview for Ravens, Falcons , Raiders HC jobs

The NFL postseason is a busy time for playoff teams, but also for those teams set to reset their organizations after previous shortcomings. For many offensive and defensive coordinators in the playoffs, January is a month filled with stressful game planning but also prepping for potentially life-changing head coaching interviews.

That’s true of Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who is set to interview for three NFL head coach openings on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Buffalo’s game against the Denver Broncos concludes. Per NFL National Insider Ian Rapoport, Brady will “speak” with senior front-office personnel of both the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, January 18.

Albert Breer reported that Brady is also set to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, for their head coach opening. Brady has been a popular name to eventually take over as an NFL team’s head coach since the end of last season, with four NFL teams requesting permission to interview him this cycle so far. The 36-year-old Florida native has already interviewed with the Miami Dolphins.

Following his ascension to Bills OC midway through the 2023 NFL season, Brady found success almost immediately while in charge of directing Buffalo offense — one now led by current NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen. Despite fielding one of the league’s least fear-inducing wide receiver groups, Brady has continued to get meaningful production out of every jersey number on offense.

Buffalo finished the 2025 season top five in total offense, boasted the NFL’s top yards/game rushing attack and the league-leading rusher in running back James Cook III — who finished with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro.

#Bills OC Joe Brady will have two interviews the day after his team's divisional round game against the #Broncos: The plan is for him to speak with the #Ravens and #Falcons on Sunday.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2026

The Raiders interviewing Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for their HC job on Sunday, per sources. Vegas is interviewing the Rams' assistants today, as they get closer to the end of their first round.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 16, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-interview-for-ravens-falcons-raiders-hc-jobs

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills Divisional Round inactives at the Denver Broncos

The Buffalo Bills may have a long injury report this weekend, but the team only ruled out two players on Thursday leading up to today’s Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos. Buffalo isn’t healthy, per se, but they at least were able to bring back some reinforcements.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who was on injured reserve thanks to a torn biceps, and wideout Curtis Samuel, who was placed on injured reserve thanks to elbow and neck injuries, were both activated prior to today’s game. Both of those players will dress for the game, which is a welcome sight for a Buffalo team that lost two receivers to ACL tears just last weekend.

Which of Buffalo’s other players were ruled out today? Here is the full list of Buffalo’s seven inactive players.
_____________________________________________________________________________

RB Ty Johnson

While he was listed as questionable, Johnson only logged one limited practice this week. He gave it a go before the game, but he is once again inactive thanks to the ankle injury he suffered in the regular-season finale. Frank Gore Jr. joins Ray Davis and James Cook III as the active running backs.

TE Keleki Latu

With Buffalo’s top three tight ends all healthy, the undrafted rookie is a healthy scratch today. Last week, Dawon Knox and Jackson Hawes both outsnapped Dalton Kincaid, but it was Kincaid who caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. All three are expected to play a large role today.

T Tylan Grable

Buffalo’s ninth lineman is a healthy scratch. The Bills will use Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson as swing tackles, with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger as the reserve interior lineman.

DT Phidarian Mathis

With a Denver club that emphasizes the passing game more than the running game, Buffalo will keep veteran Larry Ogunjobi—a better pass-rusher than run-stuffer—active over the one-tech Mathis, who has done a fine job as a rotational piece in the running game. Ed Oliver is back to play some snaps today, as well. Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, and DaQuan Jones round out the interior line group.

LB Terrel Bernard

Buffalo’s defensive captain will miss a third straight game due to a calf injury. Veteran Shaq Thompson will start alongside Matt Milano, with Baylon Spector up to cover special teams duties.

CB Maxwell Hairston

The rookie is out once again after suffering an ankle injury in the regular-season finale. Tre’Davious White, Christian Benford, and Dane Jackson are Buffalo’s healthy outside corners.

S Jordan Poyer

The veteran safety is out after re-injuring his hamstring last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Either Cam Lewis, Jordan Hancock, or Darnell Savage Jr. will start next to Cole Bishop.

Gameday roster & inactives pic.twitter.com/HSMFJwmwVR

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 17, 2026

Here are Denver’s inactive players:

our inactives for #BUFvsDEN.

» https://t.co/A39rHrNNBs pic.twitter.com/yAGLSLPmCf

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 17, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...isional-round-inactives-at-the-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix broke his ankle during win over Buffalo Bills

In their victory over the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos quarterback suffered a broken ankle two plays before kicker Wil Lutz pushed three winning points through the uprights. Nix has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason, which means that backup 29-year-old career backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will try and guide the Broncos to Super Bowl LX.

It’s a situation that should have both the New England Patriots and Houston Texans peeking ahead to next week’s AFC Championship game, even if neither team should spend a moment doing it. It’s likely that whoever wins among New England and Houston will be seen as the odds-on favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, as, without Nix, the Broncos are far less dynamic.

The Patriots played the easiest NFL schedule dating back almost 100 years, which often included lucky breaks where opponents’ key starters were sidelined. That luck continues during the Divisional Round, where New England won’t have to worry about defending against wide receiver Nico Collins. In the playoffs, winning is as much about luck as anything else, and injuries are a part of the conversation.

During interviews on Saturday before facing the Bills, Broncos head coach Sean Payton confidently expressed his viewpoint that Denver had a distinct advantage thanks to the bye week. He doubled down on that sentiment out of halftime, stating that the bye shows up huge in the second half. In truth, that advantage didn’t have much of an impact on the outcome against Buffalo. Instead, an unfortunate injury to the Broncos’ best player may impact Denver’s chances at Super Bowl glory.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...broke-his-ankle-during-win-over-buffalo-bills

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Patriots-Texans | Bears-Rams Divisional Round Sunday fan discussion

Here at Buffalo Rumblings, it’s a day of mourning for Buffalo Bills fans. The stench of a brutal 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos continues to waft down from up high in Colorado.

In perhaps his most chaotic postseason performance, quarterback Josh Allen committed four turnovers yet still managed to put his team in position to steal a victory in overtime. Unfortunately for Bills Mafia and football fans alike, officiating took center stage in overtime after allowing both teams to play a more physical brand of ball for 60 minutes. Now, the Broncos move on to the AFC Championship game, but without quarterback Bo Nix whose broken ankle will sideline him the rest of the postseason.

Today, we find out if the New England Patriots or Houston Texans are Denver bound. The Patriots host the Texans for a 3 p.m. EST Divisional Round matchup that’s certain to draw the interest of Bills fans. To think that quarterbacks Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud, or Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham could play in a Super Bowl before Josh Allen? Insanity. Still, if you’re of a certain age then there’s zero chance you want to New England one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Late on Saturday evening, football fans were treated to a terrible game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Similar to Buffalo, San Fran just ran into a wall of injuries that proved to be too much to overcome, and it cost them big in losing 41-6. Will any team be able to stop the Seahawks?

Well, either the Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears are hoping to get a shot at it in Seattle next weekend. The Bears are a really fun story as an imperfect team that continues to surprise people behind the leadership of first-year head coach Ben Johnson. In their way tonight is a Rams team built for postseason play behind head coach Sean McVay and a wealth of offensive riches led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.

With that, here’s your open thread for all of Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff action. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...s-rams-divisional-round-sunday-fan-discussion

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft order: 1st-round selection set after Divisional Round loss to Broncos

The Buffalo Bills lost a heartbreaking game to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, sending them packing into the offseason with haste. The first thing on a lot of people’s minds is the 2026 NFL Draft, where Buffalo can restock with some cheap talent at defensive end and wide receiver, among other positions.

Here is the current 2026 NFL Draft oder.

Updated 2026 NFL Draft order​

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
17. Detroit Lions
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
25. Chicago Bears
26. Buffalo Bills
27. San Francisco 49ers
28. Houston Texans

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...nfl-draft-order-1st-round-selection-finalized

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Sean McDermott fired: Buffalo Bills players react

Buffalo Bills players have taken to social media and contacting their media member of choice to share their thoughts on the unexpected firing of head coach Sean McDermott. We likely won’t see anyone calling out the organization explicitly, but McDermott seemed to be well-liked by his players, so there will some pushback at least in the early stages.

We will keep adding reactions as they come in and wait for the biggest one of all in terms of Josh Allen.

Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins​

Dawkins was emotional in the locker room on Saturday and his message to McDermott featured images of the coach kissing him on the top of his head, running out on the field, and celebrating in the locker room a few years ago.

“True leader amongst a world full of alphas’s , Honored and Truly Best to learn under our Time. McDeezzyyyy You Are Truly One Of them Ones. Until The Grass Meets us Again” wrote Dawkins with a broken heart emoji.

True leader amongst a world full of alphas’s , Honored and Truly Best to learn under our Time. McDeezzyyyy You Are Truly One Of them Ones. Until The Grass Meets us Again #YouAlreadyShnow pic.twitter.com/GAMqreeilo

— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 19, 2026

Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston​

“Forever grateful” wrote Hairston with a picture of McDermott and the rookie on the tarmac.

Bills DT DaQuan Jones​

“Don’t make sense but ya got what ya wanted” said Jones, potentially referring to some of the fan base who have been messaging him.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin​

After three broken heart emojis, Hamlin tweeted a picture of himself and McDermott with the caption “A trust leader of men. Thank you for everything! On & beyond the field. We love you coach.” alongside three of his hand-heart emojis.

.

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 19, 2026

A True Leader Of Men.

Thank You For Everything! On & Beyond The Field. We Love You Coach. pic.twitter.com/3EFaeybgVU

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 19, 2026

Bills CB Taron Johnson​

Johnson kept it short and sweet with a “smh” which stands for “Shake my head”.

Bills DT Jordan Phillips​

The most vocally opposed player. Phillips said “This shit here is so stupid honestly sickening. The best coach I’ve ever been around.”

Bills DE Shaq Lawson​

Lawson joined fellow DL Phillips in criticizing the move. “Damn shit don’t make sense. He changed the whole culture” wrote Lawson alongside a picture of him hugging McDermott at the end of the recent Wild Card win.

Former Bills CB Levi Wallace​

Wallace said, “Man my dog turned the whole organization around. One of the best I’ve been around.”

Former Bills DT Ei Ankou​

Ankou was outspoken, saying McDermott was the “scapegoat”. “Scapegoat [ass] firing. Like bro what lmao”

Former Bills R Isaiah McKenzie​

Isaiah McKenzie tweeted two piictures of him with McDermott and a “Thank You” alongside a hand-hear emoji and a salute.

Thank You pic.twitter.com/IXvAYeUMzP

— Isaiah McKenzie (@_IsaiahMcKenzie) January 19, 2026

Former Bills CB Rasul Douglas​

Douglas, whose coach in Miami was fired this offseason, weighed in on his former coach being let go with “Damn every coach”

Damn every coach

— rasul (@RasulEra) January 19, 2026

Former Bills safety Dean Marlowe​

True leader of men & culture builder.
He will land right back on his feet!! pic.twitter.com/vcLOscqgY0

— Dean Marlowe (@DMarlowe_Coach) January 19, 2026

Former Bills RB LeSean McCoy​

“Wait wait so the GM stays after all these non talented rosters and absolutely NO HELP for Josh on offense or defense lol only in the NFL” said LeSean McCoy, apparently unaware that the NFL’s leading rusher played in Buffalo this season.

Wait wait so the GM stays after all these non talented rosters and absolutely NO HELP for Josh on offense or defense lol only in THE NFL https://t.co/fCYKhD9S0g

— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) January 19, 2026

Former Bills OL and current broadcaster Eric Wood​

Wood was on the first roster McDermott coached in 2017 and is now the color analyst for the radio network. It would be surprising if he tweeted all of his opinions here since he works for the team.

“Sean McDermott was an incredible hire for the Bills when he took over in 2017. I’m grateful for all he did for the organization. Sean is a great man and will be a great hire for another organization and I hate we couldn’t get over the hump with him as HC in Buffalo.”

Sean McDermott was an incredible hire for the Bills when he took over in 2017. I’m grateful for all he did for the organization. Sean is a great man and will be a great hire for another organization and I hate we couldn’t get over the hump with him as HC in Buffalo.

— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 19, 2026

Former Bills OL Richie Incognito​

Incognito, who also played for the Raiders, wants Las Vegas to look at McDermott

“Proven leader. Consistent winner. Culture builder. That’s the kind of stability Vegas needs.”

The Raiders need to take a serious look at Sean McDermott. Proven leader. Consistent winner. Culture builder. That’s the kind of stability Vegas needs.

— Richie Incognito (@68INCOGNITO) January 19, 2026

Former Bills DL Leger Douzable​

Just a “Wowwwwww”

Wowwwwww https://t.co/XkoFaD8cP4

— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) January 19, 2026

Anonymous Buffalo Bills players​

Anonymous Bills players sent messages to the media with “I’m shook” and “WTF”

Message from a #Bills player I reached out to about Sean McDermott being fired:

“I’m shook.”#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus

— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 19, 2026

Talked to 3 Bills players this morning who are just learning news HC Sean McDermott was fired after we all did. They were all shocked.

One text, “WTF.”

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 19, 2026

Former Bills head coach Wade Phillips​

Former Bills head coach Wade Phillips laid out a classic troll job for the organization. Like McDermott, Phillips was fired after taking his team to the playoffs and losing.

“I was VERY surprised the Bills fired their Head Coach after a playoff loss. Wade Phillips”

I was VERY surprised the Bills fired their Head Coach after a playoff loss. Wade Phillips

— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 19, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ott-fired-buffalo-bills-players-coaches-react

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Sean McDermott fired: Buffalo Bills head coach the latest firing in wild NFL hiring cycle

The Buffalo Bills have fired head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott is the third long-tenured NFL head coach fired in the last two weeks since the 2025 NFL season ended, joining John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin.

The Bills have not been to a Super Bowl under McDermott despite having an MVP quarterback and a solid roster for years. Multiple reports have general manager Brandon Beane staying on to lead the next head coach search.

Buffalo lost 33-30 in overtime on Saturday to the Denver Broncos. That’s six straight years with a playoff victory. No team has ever won a playoff game in six straight years and not won a Super Bowl.

Players reached by reporters on Monday were stunned by the news.

“From recent conversations with people in the Bills’ organization, the sense I get is that it felt that there were opportunities to win Saturday in Denver, officiating or otherwise,” said Dianna Russini of The Athletic. “Leadership felt a change was necessary after coming up short of the Super Bowl yet again.“

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

McDermott is the second-winningest head coach in team history behind only Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy. He has 98 head coach wins and 50 losses in the regular season. In the playoffs, he is 8-8. But beyond that, McDermott turned around a franchise that was moored in despair, taking them to the playoffs in his very first season in 2017 and establishing a culture that was evident in the locker room.

It was believed McDermott was safe heading into this playoff run and may have done one of the best coaching jobs of his career, ushering a defense through turnover and injuries into a solid unit while maintaining the success of the offense. Buffalo had a chance to win multiple times on Saturday, including a Josh Allen pass at the end of regulation and a Brandin Cooks catch in overtime that would have set up the game-winning field goal. Now instead of prepping for the AFC Championship Game, he’s prepping to take some coaching interviews.

McDermott released a statement:

For nearly a decade I have had the opportunity to wake up every morning as the Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, which has truly been a gift.

I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Pegula family, the Buffalo Bills organization, and to the fans for allowing me to live out the dream of being a Head Coach in the NFL in this incredibly special place.

I am proud and humbled to have worked alongside amazing staff and players as we shared life together and poured out our hearts and souls into both winning football games and making a positive impact in our community.

This community graciously embraced not only me but my family and in some ways helped raise our children over the last 9 years. For that I say thank you to all of the teachers, coaches, and friends whom we met along the way…the City of Good Neighbors! We Love You! We will miss Buffalo.

Bills Mafia, you are one of one! It has been a joy and inspiration to witness your passion and commitment first hand. I always wanted our teams to play with the same level of toughness and grit that is true to Buffalo and that you demonstrate every day!

God gave me and my family an incredible opportunity, one that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Yet we know that HE has a plan.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your head coach.

God bless,

Sean McDermott

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ch-the-latest-firing-in-wild-nfl-hiring-cycle

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Why did the Buffalo Bills choose Brandon Beane over Sean McDermott?

The Buffalo Bills moved on from head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, just days after the team’s latest playoff exit. It came as a shock to Bills Mafia and reporters alike, who had been digging for information for weeks on the status of the head coach.

Now that some of the dust has settled and before general manager and new Bills president of football operations Brandon Beane meets the media this week, we are starting to get word on what exactly happened. Some of it is speculation. Some of it is genuine reporting. Let us sift it all out.

Sean McDermott wasn’t aligned with Brandon Beane and Terry Pegula​

I had been hearing more about this heading into the 2025 season than I had in the past. While most people assumed the pair of Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott were in lockstep because of their history in Carolina, their personalities were never 100% in sync. That isn’t the same as saying there was a rift, but it opened the door that they weren’t a package deal and you could move on from one and keep the other.

There apparently was a divergence opening behind the scenes, too. Vic Carucci of WGRZ has a good connection with the ownership side of the organization and wrote this Tuesday morning.

“I’m told that during a meeting held five weeks ago between McDermott, Beane and Pegula, the coach pointed out what the roster lacked to win a Super Bowl. I don’t know the specifics McDermott mentioned, but I’m told neither Beane nor Pegula was pleased with McDermott’s assessment.”

I wish we had more details to work with regarding the roster disagreement. Five weeks ago puts us in mid-December, well after the trade deadline.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was on the Rich Eisen Show Monday discussing the football relationship, as well.

“Certainly with Sean McDermott there were some frustrations that he had and you saw it in terms of certain players who were inactive on game days, kind if a revolving door at wide receiver and whatnot. But ultimately Terry Pegula not only decided to pick, essentially, Brandon Beane over Sean McDermott, he promoted Brandon Beane. He gave him a larger title. Brandon Beane is now going to lead the search for a new head coach and also the coaching staff is now going to report to Beane.”

Taking that information, I also think two more things are clear. Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane share a football vision for the franchise and they feel Sean McDermott didn’t buy in or couldn’t develop the talent to get there.

Tim Graham at The Athletic took it to a more practical level. Beane and Pegula watch the games together while McDermott is on the field. They watch practice together during training camp. Sometimes it’s that simple.

Sean McDermott didn’t get to the Super Bowl​

Nine years is a long time in the NFL and with Josh Allen’s prime, the team had bites at the apple and couldn’t get it done.

Pelissero reported that was a defining factor in the move. The team was good enough to always be in the mix for a Super Bowl, but not prepared or able to win the game to get there.

“They feel like this is a team that should be competing at the highest level. They have not achieved that highest level in terms of getting to a Super Bowl. There are times when owners simply feel it is time.”

Surely McDermott had a large hand in several of the team’s playoff exits. With “13 seconds” being the most egregious mistake, the Bills’ defense also allowed more points to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s AFC Championship Game than KC had put on the board all season.

The Bills loss to the Denver Broncos was the latest and probably the worst defeat on paper. It is one thing to lose to Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes or bow out two weeks after the most emotional moment in franchise history with a spent team. It is another to lose to Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos with the New England Patriots heading back to the AFC Championship Game.

Sean McDermott was the last coach left to fire​

McDermott has pulled multiple levers on his coaching staff through the years. While Brian Daboll was hired away, McDermott has also willingly made multiple changes to his coaching staff.

He moved on from his defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, his offensive coordinator that replaced Daboll in Ken Dorsey, he even changed special teams coordinators.

For better or worse, each time after hiring Daboll, McDermott promoted from within. It was a staff made in his image.

Roster development was spotty under Sean McDermott​

We have already established that McDermott played a pivotal role in the personnel of the team. The Bills invested heavily in the defensive line through McDermott’s tenure and threw a lot at the wall at wide receiver since McDermott’s public spat with Stefon Diggs forced his trade.

Greg Rousseau has developed into a serviceable every-down defensive end and A.J. Epenesa has been a solid-not-great DE. Ed Oliver emerged as a go-to defensive tackle with DaQuan Jones holding down the fort. Beyond that, the Bills have lacked success. Poona Ford has been very good for the Chargers and Rams the last two years, but three years ago in Buffalo he was inactive for a majority of the games. Tim Settle had five sacks for the Texans in 2024 with 31 tackles after two years in Buffalo where he didn’t combine for those numbers. It isn’t just the collection of talent, which would point to Beane as the major decision-maker.

At wide receiver, fans lamented the lack of a true number one receiver without talking about the deterioration of the relationship that led to Diggs being traded in the first place. Then there was the lack of development for Keon Coleman (though I suspect a lot of that can and should be placed at the player’s feet). Buffalo signed Curtis Samuel and Josh Palmer, added Elijah Moore and Gabe Davis, eventually bringing in Mecole Hardman and Brandin Cooks. You may look at this and think about them underperforming in Buffalo, and they did. But they all also underperformed their own best seasons. They didn’t play up to their talent level in Buffalo.

• Josh Palmer: 72 catches for 769 yards in 2022 and 58.1 yards per game in 2023
• Elijah Moore: 59 catches for 640 yards in 2023 and 48.9 yards per game in 2021
• Gabe Davis: 48 catches for 836 yards and 55.7 yards per game in 2022
• Brandin Cooks: 80 catches for 1204 yards and 75.3 yards per game in 2018
• Mecole Hardman: 59 receptions for 693 yards and 40.8 yards per game in 2021
• Curtis Samuel: 77 catches for 851 yards and 56.7 yards per game in 2020

Instead of getting close to their career highs with Josh Allen as their quarterback, they had career lows. So it’s not simply a talent issue, it’s a utilization issue.

• Palmer: 22 catches for 303 yards and and 25.3 yards per game
• Moore: 9 catches for 112 yards and 12.4 yards per game
• Davis: 12 catches for 129 yards and 21.5 yards per game (recovering from injury)
• Cooks: 5 catches for 114 yards and 22.8 yards per game (late addition)
• Hardman: 0 catches in the regular season
• Samuel: 7 receptions for 81 yards and 13.5 yards per game

No one was expecting all of them to have their best seasons ever, but just getting an average season out of them instead of their career-worst years feels like it is a coaching problem and not a talent problem.

---

Taken individually, each one of these things could have sunk the ship but collectively, it feels like McDermott was probably already on borrowed time heading into 2025, probably all the way back to 13 seconds.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...buffalo-bills-football-decisions-terry-pegula

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Did officials cost the Buffalo Bills a playoff win vs. Denver Broncos?

Okay I’m a bit guilty of a clickbait-y headline here. Obviously the flags were a big deal. When you have 47 yards of controversial flags, and six less controversial, on one drive in a “next score wins” situation, of course it’s a big deal. It’s a really flipping big deal.

Now that you’re here, let’s do some math on the penalties — which will tell us much more accurately just how big of a deal they were. As a heads up, I don’t feel the need for video this week as we all relived the flags enough as it is and I doubt I’m changing anyone’s mind at this point anyway. Assuming I’m inclined to do that in the first place.

---

Standard and Advanced Metrics​

Penalty Counts​

By objective metrics it could be stated that both teams had a pretty clean game where penalties weren’t a big deal. Two thoughts on that though:

1. Penalties go down in the playoffs, so while Buffalo is below season average, getting close to that number like they did isn’t a good thing.
2. There were plenty of no-calls throughout the game (evidence of above), so it’s pretty hard to dispel the notion of a bias when four of them came on the game-deciding drive in overtime.

Penalty Yards​

Making things worse is this chart. When you’re below the mean in count, being significantly above the mean in yards also isn’t a good thing. The Broncos, on the other hand, are almost exactly what would be predicted based on the counts.

---

Penalty Harm​

Denver Broncos​

Well, it’s not like there are a lot of these, so let’s just talk about ‘em all starting with the delay of game. On 4th & 3, Denver was in field goal range and tried to get Buffalo to jump offside for a free set of downs. To be fair to head coach Sean Payton, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi had already flinched once earlier in the game. The Bills didn’t fall for it and the kick was still good, so no real harm here despite the 0.5 Harm.

Speaking of flinching to give free downs, Linebacker Jonathon Cooper did that for the Bills to help set up the game-tying field goal to send it to overtime. However, the word “help” is doing some heavy lifting here. It was 3rd & 1 and Denver really hadn’t stopped any “& Short” situations all game. You could argue it saved time and/or a timeout, but Matt Prater kicked the ball with 10 seconds left and Buffalo still had one timeout. It didn’t hurt the matter, but it was also mostly insignificant.

The offensive holding call on center Alex Forsyth did matter though. It negated a nine-yard play and set Denver back to 1st & 20 with less than a minute to go in the first half. The Bills had a great shot to stop the Broncos and… didn’t. They allowed a conversion for a new set of downs and then a long touchdown.

Our cut-off for a bad day is 10.0 Harm and the Broncos landing at 4.9 is well short of the mark. Translation: Denver’s game wasn’t hampered by penalties. That tracks with the narrative review above.

Buffalo Bills​

The Bills on the other hand had 13.1 total Harm, which suggests their game was hampered by flags. But I bet you knew that. Well, not the specific number I guess. Of these seven flags, only ONE doesn’t have a very deep story. So I’m sorry “Ryan Van Demark illegal block above the waist,” I’m not going to spend any more time on you.

Right guard O’Cyrus Torrence was called for offensive holding on a surefire touchdown pass to wide receiver Keon Coleman that he dropped. The Broncos declined to set up fourth down and a Bills field goal. Denver was able to decline because of the drop. If Coleman hangs on, it backs the Bills up but gives quarterback Josh Allen a chance for either a touchdown or a first down. It’s not a guarantee mind you, but Coleman’s drop eliminated one chance in a close game. I’ll always root for a chance.

Larry Ogunjobi’s penalty directly cost Buffalo three points. If Ogunjobi doesn’t flinch, the fumble the Bills recovered on that play stands. There were so many other crazy things in the game I’m betting many people forgot about this. Remember how I said about five seconds ago that I’ll always root for a chance? Negated turnovers negate four chances for your team and are thusly flagged heavily in the Harm system. Each down counts as 1.0 Harm and that’s four downs. Yes, I count all four downs. Even if the fourth down is a punt, that field position opportunity can be massive.

Finally, let’s talk about all four of the overtime flags in a lump since they basically happened in the same five-second span and ended the Bills season. Let’s do the easy one first. Cornerback Tre’Davious White slamming his helmet down and getting in the ref’s face was completely understandable. The Broncos were already close enough for a chip shot field goal too, so this one is mostly irrelevant. That said, I do think White’s defensive pass interference flag wasn’t a bad call. It wasn’t egregious either, but this one I can see.

The flags on nickel cornerback Taron Johnson and defensive end Joey Bosa came on the same play, so the Bosa one was declined to accept the Johnson flag. It was a difference of two yards so no big deal, right? Even if you think the Johnson flag was a bad call (more on that in a moment), the Bills were already screwed thanks to Bosa deciding to finally make an impact on the game in the worst possible fashion with a very blatant roughing the passer.

I think Johnson’s flag was a bad call for a few reasons. While there’s some contact, it’s fringe in most games — which makes it light for playoff officiating. Making that worse is that I won’t disagree with the general crowd on this; there were plays with similar contact earlier that weren’t called. So why then of all moments? Even worse, if you can believe it, is that the receiver is also making contact, which means if one is called so could the other. If that were to have occurred, this would have led to offsetting penalties including wiping the Bosa one clean. Replay the down, not 17 yards downfield for Denver.

If you care about my non-penalty opinions on officiating:

• Brandin Cooks caught that ball
• Marvin Mims Jr. bobbled it on his touchdown

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...buffalo-bills-a-playoff-win-vs-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills press conference reinforces why Terry Pegula rarely takes media questions

The Buffalo Bills just completed a doozy of a press conference in Orchard Park. Owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane spoke with reporters for about an hour, even arriving five minutes before the scheduled start time.

What resulted was messy, and they are rightfully getting some heat.

Terry Pegula throws Sean McDermott under the bus regarding Keon Coleman​

The biggest misstep of the entire press conference was when Beane was asked about drafting Keon Coleman. He began his response but Pegula stepped in, dropping not only a surprising bombshell but also undermining a whole bunch of people at the exact same time.

“Can I interrupt? I’ll address the Keon situation,” Pegula said. “The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but he wasn’t his next choice. That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of this coaching staff who felt strongly about the player. He’s taken, for some reason, heat over it and not saying a word about it, but I’m here to tell you the true story.”

To his credit, Beane later reiterated he is the one who picked Coleman and it was his decision. Meanwhile, Pegula has no problem throwing McDermott and his staff under the bus. To make matters worse, the Bills are interviewing the team’s offensive coordinator who was on the offensive coaching staff pushing to draft Coleman. What kind of message does that send about Joe Brady?

Terry Pegula fired Sean McDermott over one game, but the Bills were also screwed out of that win​

Another big moment in the press conference came when Pegula described why he fired McDermott after the Broncos game. Josh Allen was crying, the locker room looked dejected, the owner said to himself “Where do we go from here?”

Pegula claims he didn’t consider firing McDermott until that moment.

But also, the first thing he said to Allen when he entered the locker room was, “That was a catch.” That catch by Brandin Cooks would have put the Bills into field goal range in overtime with a chance to win the game. So if the Bills win that game following that catch, McDermott would obviously still be employed today prepping for the AFC Championship Game.

It seems incongruous that he hadn’t thought of firing McDermott yet but also fired him over a bad call 36 hours later. Sure, he cited the previous playoff failures with 13 seconds, Tyler Bass’s missed field goal a couple seasons ago, and now what he called “the catch” and the collective hit to the psyche of the team.

It’s been years since Terry Pegula took reporters’ questions​

The owner of the Bills and Buffalo Sabres hasn’t taken questions from reporters since the 2019 owners meetings. I think we saw a huge part of why in this press conference. He certainly laid a lot of blame at the feet of Sean McDermott without assigning much if any to Brandon Beane, leading some to say he stabbed his former coach in the back. He gave away vital information from inside the draft process and alienated a player still on their roster in doing so.

Pegula did bring up the main reason he hasn’t taken media questions recently was the medical situation with his wife. That is completely understandable. Kim Pegula suffered cardiac arrest in June 2022 and as a result will never be the same cognitively. Caring for her has sapped his time, he says, including prohibiting him from traveling to watch their daughter’s tennis matches.

But he was at press events for the groundbreaking at the new stadium and plenty of other opportunities with both the Sabres and Bills. The $850 million in taxpayer money he received for building the new stadium wasn’t enough. He felt like firing McDermott was a big enough moment to answer.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...on-coleman-sean-mcdermott-draft-brandon-beane

 

[Buffalo Bills]

OC Joe Brady first to interview for Buffalo Bills head coach opening

Despite chaotic nature with which former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott was shown the door, One Bills Drive is wasting no time trying to fill a position that hasn’t been vacant in nine years. When news first broke that McDermott was let go, many wondered who, if any, among Buffalo’s current coaching staff might receive an interview for the head job.

We know now that current offensive coordinator Joe Brady was the first in-house candidate to interview with Buffalo’s top brass, having done so Wednesday afternoon. He’s the first person overall to interview for the opening. Brady has been a popular interview during the most recent coaching cycle, with interviews in the books already from the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. Brady is also scheduled to interview with the Arizona Cardinals.

In Brady there’s familiarity for the Bills, obviously. Hired in 2022 to be the team’s quarterbacks coach under offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, Brady has a well-established relationship with quarterback Josh Allen. Following Dorsey’s dismissal, Brady was promoted to interim offensive coordinator ahead of a Week 11 game against the New York Jets. The offense shined in Brady’s first game at OC, winning 32-6 at home. Brady was officially hired as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator beginning with the 2024 NFL season, and he never looked back.

The offense under Brady in 2024 finished second in points per game, 1oth in offensive yards per game, and ninth in both passing and rushing yards per game. Following that up, the 2025 season saw Brady’s system finish fourth in both points per game and yards per game, 15th in passing yards per game, and first in rushing yards per game.

Running back James Cook III led the NFL in rushing yards and had 12 touchdowns while being named Second-Team All-Pro, while Allen finished one score shy of 40 total touchdowns despite a less-than-ideal wide receivers room.

The Bills have requested interviews with former offensive coach/former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, former running backs coach and Chargers head coach/current Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...nterview-for-buffalo-bills-head-coach-opening

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills fans honor former HC Sean McDermott with charity donations

There has been a lot of mixed emotions the past couple of days after the Buffalo Bills announced the firing of head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott leaves the franchise after six straight playoff appearances but could not get to the end goal of playing in a Super Bowl and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Through all of those emotions, Bills Mafia wanted to thank McDermott for all he has done in the way they know best, charity. McDermott has been an advocate for Skin Cancer Awareness and members of Bills Mafia have decided to donate to that cause in his honor. The Skin Cancer Foundation posted a thank you message on social media announcing that over the last several days they have received more than $50,000 in donations and that number continues to increase.

In the U.S., more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. More than 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer were treated in over 3.3 million people in the U.S. in 2012, still considered the best estimate to date. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.

It’s a cause everyone can rally around, to do something positive in the face of disappointment. At the end of the day there is more to life than football and gestures like this have a meaningful, lasting impact on the important work being done through organizations such as The Skin Cancer Foundation.

THANK YOU to #BillsMafia for honoring former Head Coach Sean McDermott with an incredible outpouring of support. Over $50,000 has been donated to help fight skin cancer. These funds support free skin cancer screenings, research and public education. https://t.co/s0UhCLITQD pic.twitter.com/bbZw4vC9qE

— The Skin Cancer Foundation (@SkinCancerOrg) January 21, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...rmer-hc-sean-mcdermott-with-charity-donations

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen named a finalist for 2025 NFL MVP award

The NFL announced the finalists for each of the major awards for the 2025 season, including Most Valuable Player. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named a finalist once again, making this the fifth time he will be invited to the “NFL Honors” awards ceremony.

Fans will remember that Allen was named the NFL MVP for his performance during the 2024 season, where he delivered a memorable acceptance speech upon receiving the award. While there were some expectation that Allen would win the award last season, it would be more of a surprise if he won it this year. Despite a season where Allen accounted for 39 touchdowns (25 passing and 14 rushing) along with 4,147 total yards (3,668 passing and 579 rushing), he is considered a longshot to win the award behind quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) and Drake Maye (New England Patriots).

The other finalists for the award include quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) and running back Christian McCaffrey (San Fransisco 49ers). This season’s winner will be announced during the annual “NFL Honors” show on February 5. It should also be noted that Allen is the only member of the Bills organization to be nominated, with running back James Cook III being snubbed for Offensive Player of the Year.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...allen-named-a-finalist-for-2025-nfl-mvp-award

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Philip Rivers interviewing for Bills head coach job

The Buffalo Bills are intent on leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach, now reportedly meeting with Philip Rivers on Friday about the opening, per ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Having originally retired at the end of the 2020 NFL season, Rivers returned to the NFL late in the 2025 NFL season to help guide an Indianapolis Colts team that lost quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles injury.

Rivers, 44, again retired after this past season, heading back to coach the St. Michael Catholic High School football team, where he was working prior to the brief return to action.

Sean McDermott’s dismissal after nine seasons at the helm and following the team’s latest playoff loss. Rivers has no experience coaching at the NFL or collegiate levels, but many point to his proficiency as a field general both pre- and post-snap. He played a total of 18 seasons in the NFL, which included 16 for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, and two with the Colts.

Rivers’ interview is noteworthy for several reasons, the most significant being his lack of prior college or professional coaching experience. The last person to swim in similar head-coaching waters was Jeff Saturday, who held the title as interim head coach with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2022 NFL season.

Per Adam Schefter, Norm Van Brocklin (1961) was the last person to be hired as a full-time NFL head coach without any prior college or pro experience. These are uncharted waters for the Bills, but don’t discount Rivers’ potential as an offensive mind who, per Daniel Jeremiah, “was basically the OC for at least a decade of his career.” As Jeremiah points out, key for Rivers would be to “surround himself with an outstanding staff.”

It’s likely that Rivers has plenty of connections both in the current NFL landscape and among those who have played and coached at the pro level. Regardless, Rivers’ interviewing to become the Bills’ next head coach is a very interesting development in the process — one where his relationship and professional familiarity with quarterback Josh Allen cannot be ignored.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...w-buffalo-bills-head-coach-opening-experience

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills ST coordinator Chris Tabor hired by Miami Dolphins

Add special teams coordinator to the list of coaches the Buffalo Bills now need to replace. Chris Tabor, a highly revered special teams mind, accepted an offer with the Miami Dolphins. After a season away from the NFL and coaching, Tabor Joined One Bills Drive for the 2025 NFL season as a priority hire for then head coach Sean McDermott.

At 54, Tabor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to special teams, having coached those units in some capacity dating back to 2000. His NFL special teams career began with the Chicago Bears in 2008. Tabor also held the title of interim head coach with the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 NFL season.

With uncertainty in the head coaching ranks, Tabor likely wanted to best-position himself early on in the offseason. It’s a great possibility that Buffalo’s next head coach would have sought to retain Tabor on a new contract, but, at least for now, they’ll have to settle for game day chats twice a season.

Last season with Buffalo, Tabor’s teams ranked fourth in kick-return average, while watching running back Ray Davis earn Associated Press First-Team All-Pro after leading the league in kickoff return yardage. However, the Bills punt return unit ranked just 29th in punt-return average. Against opponents, Buffalo ranked 17th in kick-return yards allowed, and an impressive seventh in punt-return yards allowed.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ordinator-chris-tabor-hired-by-miami-dolphins

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills news: Mike McDaniel cancels head coaching interview with Buffalo

It’s been rumored that the Buffalo Bills are searching for an offensive-minded head coach to succeed Sean McDermott and help reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen lead the Bills to the Super Bowl.

One of the names linked to the Bills’ head coaching vacancy was former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, widely recognized as one of the most creative play designers in the league. McDaniel was reported to be interviewing in Florida on Friday for Buffalo’s head coaching opening.

But instead of meeting with co-owner Terry Pegula, president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane and the rest of Buffalo’s front office brass, McDaniel decided to cancel his interview, according to a team source.

It was reported that McDaniel and One Bills Drive ““remain in contact for a potential interview,” per Jordan Schultz.

After backing out of his scheduled Bills interview, McDaniel is expected to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ next offensive coordinator, if he does not land any of the other five head coaching vacancies, according to reporting from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Update: Mike McDaniel pulled out of his scheduled meeting down in Florida with the Bills yesterday, I’m told, and the two sides never met.

McDaniel remains in contention for the Raiders’ head coaching job, but if he takes an OC position, it’s still expected to be with the… pic.twitter.com/9vH6eellLa

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 24, 2026

Teaming Allen with McDaniel, who had instant success in South Beach transforming quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins into one of the NFL’s most explosive and innovative offenses, would have made a lot of sense for Buffalo’s next head coach. McDaniel went 35-33 with a pair of playoff appearances in four seasons leading the Dolphins, including a 34-31 loss to the Bills in the Wild Card round of the 2022 NFL season, his first with Miami.

But McDaniel failed to replicate the offensive success from his first two seasons and was dismissed by the Dolphins after going 15-19 in 2024 and 2025.

The team has already conducted two interviews with offensive-minded head coaching candidates — current offensive coordinator Joe Brady and former New York Giants head coach/former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll — and has an interview scheduled today with current Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, and on Sunday with current Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-cancels-head-coaching-interview-with-buffalo