Division leaders rarely see their future prospects called into question, especially five games into the season.
Then again, most franchises aren't the Bills, who have become one of the NFL's most successful organizations in recent memory yet are simultaneously bereft of any serious hardware since their establishment in 1959.
These are the circumstances in which Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott finds himself nowadays. The 50-year-old is the Bills greatest tactician in terms of winning percentage, recording a franchise-high 63.9-percent win rate across eight years in The Queen City. Yet, his trophy cabinet is noticeably bare, something that has resurfaced amid a stream of poor tactical displays — namely, a 23-20 Week 5 defeat to the Texans marred by questionable late-game play calling.
McDermott isn't infallible for his contributions to Buffalo's defeats. His end-of-game clock management befuddled many watching along on Sunday. It also had some wondering if the William & Mary alum had reached the end of the line with the Blue, Red, and White.
So, could McDermott receive his pink slip soon? The Sporting News assesses the likelihood of McDermott being served his walking players in few weeks.
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Will Bills fire Sean McDermott?
Despite McDermott's recent foibles, there's an overwhelming belief that his job with the Bills is secure. ESPN's Dan Graziano revealed that he had received a swarm of texts inquiring about the precariousness — or lack thereof — of McDermott's position.
"I have heard many on the outside speculate McDermott could be in trouble if the Bills keep failing to reach the Super Bowl," Graziano said, "but I have never once heard from inside the Bills' organization that moving on from him has ever been a consideration."
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There are a few reasons why such a conclusion could be drawn. Here are some of the most prominent.
Patience pays
Buffalo's ownership, spearheaded by fracking magnates Terry and Kim Pegula, has long been seen as one of the best in the sport. One of the primary reasons why it has earned such a reputation is because the Pegulas give personnel space and time to achieve their goals.
The franchise has been nothing if not stable under McDermott's watch. Barring some major catastrophe, that's not likely to change, especially if the Bills continue to scale their way up the divisional standings week after week.
"Thus far, Buffalo has fully supported its brain trust of McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, who came in together and have largely produced," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "The Bills have stability, which many franchises don't. That was just such a curious lapse at the end of the Houston game that it brought his own tenure into focus unnecessarily."
Roster instability could give McDermott a reprieve
Buffalo's struggles didn't exactly come out of left field. The roster endured a fractious offseason, seeing long-time stalwarts Stefon Diggs, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Gabe Davis, among others, depart the franchise.
Even those who stayed were dealt a foul hand — Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Ed Oliver, Khalil Shakir, and James Cook are among the Bills starters who have sustained injuries thus far this season.
All of that amounts to a roster in flux — one teeming with talent, but also lacking the top-flight firepower that sides like the Chiefs, 49ers, Lions, and Texans can boast.
A change in roster quality coincides with a change in expectations. The Bills are still favorites to capture yet another AFC East crown — what would be their fifth in as many seasons.
The franchise's first Lombardi Trophy remains a pie in the sky at the moment, but would sacking off McDermott change that reality? It's hard to be so sure. The Bills weren't pulling up many trees prior to McDermott's maiden season in 2017 — their last postseason appearance came in 1999.
With goodwill in the bank and a history of success unlike few others in franchise history (outside Marv Levy), McDermott appears to be Teflon. Things can always change. And if McDermott were to get the boot, there would be a cadre of suitors for both his talents and the position which he was deposed from.
However, at present, man and organization seem interlocked. Bills fans will hope that's a good thing.
