Former Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott was infamously fired after a loss to the Denver Broncos in last season’s playoffs. While the Bills were the favored team to win, nobody expected McDermott to be relieved of his job. The game will always be remembered for a controversial interception that many believe should not have been called.
#Bills HC Sean McDermott on the Brandin Cooks catch that became a Ja’Quan McMillian INT:
“It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled. … I’m saying it because I’m standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I'm standing up for us. That's not how it should go… https://t.co/0X8zO4qKgi pic.twitter.com/EiAzO638Ak
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 18, 2026
McDermott was accused for consistently falling short in the playoffs while in Buffalo, but he has had more success as a head coach in Buffalo than anyone in recent history, which is why it was a surprised that he was let go.
Since then, the former Bills coach decided to take some time off and did not interview for any head coach positions for the upcoming NFL season. So it was a surprise to many when it was announced on Twitter/X on Monday that McDermott had attended another NFL team’s practice.
Former Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott Makes Surprise Appearance at Giants Minicamp
The former Bills coach attended the New York Giants practice and spoke with general manager Joe Schoen.
Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott just walked onto the field here at Giants minicamp practice with Joe Schoen
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) June 8, 2026
While there has not been any type of announcement that McDermott would be taking on a coaching position with the Giants, it is hard not to let the mind wander. Having John Harbaugh as your head coach and McDermott assisting in any manner would be make for a powerhouse coaching staff. The former Bills coach is known for having a strong defensive coaching background. Having his skill set with a rebuilding Giants team could do wonders for the team.
What is Sean McDermott’s Background?
The former Bills coach got his start in the NFL working under the Giants NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Andy Reid. McDermott started with Philly as a Scouting Administrative Coordinator. He then worked his way into a role as a defense quality control coach and then later became an assistant defensive backs coach.
He was eventually promoted to Linebackers coach after Steve Spagnulo left the Eagles for the Giants to become their defensive coordinator. The former Bills coach finally got his shot working as an interim defensive coordinator for the Eagles.
Eventually, Philly head coach Andy Reid decided to move on from McDermott as the interim Defensive Coordinator and McDermott moved on to the Carolina Panthers and became their defensive coordinator under head coach Ron Rivera whom he coached with at one point during his run with the Eagles. After spending six years with the Panthers and seeing considerable success defensively, McDermott was eventually hired as the Bills head coach in 2017.
Former Bills Coach May Not Be Away From Football For Long
McDermott’s appearance at Giants practice could ultimately prove to be nothing more than a chance to reconnect with friends around the league and stay involved with the game. Still, it is difficult to ignore the impact a coach of his caliber could have on a team trying to take the next step.
Despite the criticism he received in Buffalo, McDermott built one of the NFL’s most consistent winners and helped turn the Bills into a perennial playoff contender. Coaches with that kind of track record rarely stay away from football for long. Whether this visit was simply observational or the first sign of a return to the sidelines, the former Bills coach’s future remains one of the more intriguing storylines to watch as the NFL season approaches.
If McDermott’s goal was to remind the NFL he is still out there, one practice visit accomplished exactly that.
Main Photo Courtesy of Ron Chenoy – Imagn Images
