While most fired NFL coaches scramble for the next available sideline position, Sean McDermott is charting a radically different course. The former Buffalo Bills head coach, who parted ways with the organization after the 2025 season, is deliberately stepping away from the coaching carousel to embark on a journey of self-improvement and cross-disciplinary learning.
The Uncommon Path Back
In a revealing interview with The Athletic, McDermott outlined his unconventional strategy. Instead of networking with familiar football minds, he's intentionally seeking perspectives from leaders in different sports and even the corporate world. "I could go visit people I know, but I already know what they're about," McDermott explained. "But I'm visiting some people that do things a little bit different than maybe I've done."
His approach represents a stark contrast to the typical NFL coaching rebound. McDermott is studying personalities and methods that diverge from his own, believing there's power in examining success through different lenses. "I think going outside of football is healthy and productive and powerful," he stated, emphasizing his interest in how diverse leadership styles translate to NFL challenges.
A Legacy of Success and Unfinished Business
McDermott's departure from Buffalo came despite building one of the franchise's most successful eras since their 1990s glory days. Taking over in 2017, he immediately ended a 17-year playoff drought and transformed the Bills into perennial contenders. Alongside General Manager Brandon Beane, he helped construct a powerhouse roster highlighted by quarterback Josh Allen, securing multiple AFC East titles and reaching the 2020 AFC Championship Game.
Yet for all his regular-season dominance—a remarkable 98-50 record over nine seasons—the Super Bowl remained elusive. Several heartbreaking playoff losses to the Kansas City Chiefs, coupled with questions about late-game management, ultimately led to his exit following another postseason disappointment in 2025.
The Learning Expedition
McDermott's current mission involves attending conferences and engaging in deep conversations about coaching and leadership fundamentals. He's particularly interested in "high-level performers" whose experiences don't directly overlap with football but whose principles might correlate. "There's this guy that seems to have had success, or this gal's had success and their personalities may be a little bit different than mine," McDermott noted. "So, I'd like to get in on the ground floor and just see how they handle the day in and day out."
This reflective period mirrors approaches seen in other sports figures who've taken unconventional paths. Like Brad Stevens, who firmly closed the door on a college basketball return to focus on his executive role, McDermott appears motivated by growth rather than immediate reentry. Similarly, golf legend Jack Nicklaus recently championed Tiger Woods' measured return to competition, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation over haste.
What This Means for His NFL Future
McDermott's deliberate pause raises intriguing questions about his eventual return. Will his cross-sport and corporate studies produce innovative strategies that could revolutionize his coaching approach? The NFL has seen coaches benefit from similar sabbaticals, though few have so explicitly framed their time away as an educational expedition.
As other coaches rush back into the fray, McDermott's patience suggests a coach confident in his value and committed to returning better than ever. His method acknowledges that sometimes the best way to move forward is to step sideways—to learn from unexpected sources before making the next big play.
Only time will tell if this unconventional approach pays dividends, but one thing is clear: Sean McDermott isn't following anyone else's playbook for his comeback.
