Is there any circumstances you would move on from McDermott after 2022?

[FilthyBeast]

Now that the dust has settled from the draft and we move closer to the 2022 season, was curious what the current pulse is on McDermott. Expectations are obviously sky high in Buffalo and it's truly SB or bust as far as a lot of fans and pundits see it.

 

On one hand the McDermott is still the best HC this franchise has seen since Levy and the 90's, but on the other the stench of playoff loss in KC still looms large and could be an issue in the locker room if this team gets off to a slow start in 2022. I would go as far to say his regular season record against playoff teams and never being able to win a road playoff game is a root cause for serious concern as well.

 

Adding a poll here but personally there are 2 scenarios I would pull the trigger on dumping McDermott after 2022:

 

1) We have a losing season/miss playoffs (with major injuries NOT being a factor in this).

 

2) We lose to KC in the playoffs for a 3rd straight season regardless of round or whether game is in Buffalo/KC.

 

Either of these happen and the Pegulas have to seriously ask themselves where they seem the direction of this team heading under McDermott knowing you are only going to get so many bites at the apple once Allen's contract kicks in similar to Mahomes in KC. Beane cannot show blind loyalty either IMO and look at himself and McDermott as a package deal moving forward.

[TBBills]

Maintence is done on the Dolphins forums.

[whorlnut]

My breaking point would be if he nearly single handedly is the reason we lose in the playoffs again. Last season is still painful. He didn’t do a single thing right in those 13 seconds. From the botched kickoff, to calling two timeouts and not making the right defensive calls. I am ok with him unless he has a complete meltdown again. 

[NewEra]

#2 is stupid. 
 

edit:  but considering the OP, not surprised in the least.  The angle had to exist or the thread wouldn’t have been created

Edited May 16, 2022 by NewEra

[KDIGGZ]

I think if we lose to KC similar to the way we did last time then it's definitely a conversation, but I think he's built a winning culture and I think he will be given the benefit of the doubt and if anything they might be replacing Leslie and other other coordinators before they get rid of McD

[GolfandBills]

0-17

[FilthyBeast]

1 minute ago, whorlnut said:

My breaking point would be if he nearly single handedly is the reason we lose in the playoffs again. Last season is still painful. He didn’t do a single thing right in those 13 seconds. From the botched kickoff, to calling two timeouts and not making the right defensive calls. I am ok with him unless he has a complete meltdown again. 

 

The cupboard is now fully stocked (DB only real question mark still) and there are no more excuses for him.

 

And the best path for this team in terms of a SB appearance is to play consistent football from start to finish to ensure the road to the SB goes through Buffalo. And to McD's credit he's been great at home in the playoffs the last few years and has never lost a home playoff game.

 

But deep down I still think very poor in game decisions and situation football awareness is something that can be exploited again not just in the playoffs, but against a very tough schedule this year.

[TheBrownBear]

Nothing short of a full on player revolt or him getting caught doing some despicable act or committing some serious crime.

[dwight in philly]

No

[FilthyBeast]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

#2 is stupid. 
 

edit:  but considering the OP, not surprised in the least.  The angle had to exist or the thread wouldn’t have been created

 

Are you talking about losing to KC in the playoffs again or SB or bust option on the poll?

 

Like I said just curious what folks think.

 

As down as I've been on McD at time realistically the only scenario the Pegulas would consider firing him is missing  the playoffs this year if we are fairly healthy and coaching proves to be a major issue against a very tough schedule.

[TheBrownBear]

1 minute ago, FilthyBeast said:

But deep down I still think very poor in game decisions and situation football awareness is something that can be exploited again not just in the playoffs, but against a very tough schedule this year.

I think he's gotten better and better at the situational awareness and in game decisions from season to season, and probably the best we've had in that regard in my lifetime.  Yes, something was horribly screwed up with 13 seconds and he's ultimately responsible for that mess, but I'm not inclined to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, FilthyBeast said:

 

Are you talking about losing to KC in the playoffs again or SB or bust option on the poll?

 

Like I said just curious what folks think.

 

As down as I've been on McD at time realistically the only scenario the Pegulas would consider firing him is missing  the playoffs this year if we are fairly healthy and coaching proves to be a major issue against a very tough schedule.

#2 on your post.  

[Alphadawg7]

McD is our coach.  Period.  He is not on any kind of hot seat.  
 

However if we were to miss the playoffs while everyone was mostly healthy, then sure it could mean a HC change is possible.  
 

But let’s be real, the odds of that happening are almost impossible.  If we stay healthy this team could sleep walk it’s way to at least 10 wins with even losers like Juaron, Gase, Meyer, etc at the helm.  
 

So, basically I had to choose the nearly possible scenario of everyone being healthy and we still miss the playoffs.  But in reality where that is never gonna happen, the answer is basically A.  
 

If we fall short in the playoffs again, he could enter next year on a hotter seat, but he’s not on one now.  

Edited May 16, 2022 by Alphadawg7

[MafiaSouth]

Seriously? Another hypothetical dividing question. When you come up with something positive, let us know. Focussing on reasons to fire the current head coach is just what Bills fans need... Nothing like enjoying the moment.

[Talley56]

23 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

Nothing short of a full on player revolt or him getting caught doing some despicable act or committing some serious crime.

This is pretty much what I was thinking.  Him really butting heads with Allen or other players who just want him gone or some type of horrible thing he's done would be the only real circumstances where I'd want him gone.  But I'm thinking even Belichick, Tomlin, Harbaugh wouldn't be safe in such extreme circumstances.

[Bills92]

I think this year would take a losing season to consider letting him go.

 

But I do see a Tony Dungy/Bucs like situation, that if the Bills do not get over the proverbial hump by next year, that we could see changes happening. 

 

Go Bills!

 

 

[Another Fan]

if he stops clapping on the sidelines

 

We would then know he lost his motivation 😄

[Adam727]

If McDermott convinces Beane to make a trade with the bears to acquire Nathan Peterman and decides to bench Josh Allen to start Peterman in the middle of a playoff push, then yes.

 

Otherwise, no.

 

 

[Yawning Frog]

[ChevyVanMiller]

*Is there any circumstances you would move on from McDermott after 2022?

 

*Are (the noun is plural)

 

 

[Dablitzkrieg]

51 minutes ago, NewEra said:

#2 is stupid. 
 

edit:  but considering the OP, not surprised in the least.  The angle had to exist or the thread wouldn’t have been created

I think the entire post and thought is

[pennstate10]

Seriously dude, this thread is nuts. After years of jauron, Rex, and the rest of the stooges, you want to roll the dice on a new coach?

 

I hear Hank Bullough might be available. 

Edited May 16, 2022 by pennstate10
Forgot about coach bull

[LeGOATski]

If they somehow have a losing season with this roster, that would give me serious pause. But I think the chances of that happening with no injuries is like .0001. He's just too good of a coach with too good of a team.

[Heitz]

30 minutes ago, MafiaSouth said:

Seriously? Another hypothetical dividing question. When you come up with something positive, let us know. Focussing on reasons to fire the current head coach is just what Bills fans need... Nothing like enjoying the moment.

 

 

 

[Orlando Tim]

If he trades Josh we dump him otherwise this is stupid.

[billybrew1]

For me…. It would be how we lost to KC in the playoffs for the third straight year…. Though I have high hopes we win home-field (at least vs. the chefs) and we beat them twice this year and both games count. Just like we beat them last year. It counted.

What we need to see is a different approach to defending Mahomes and the other great QBs. We built a new DL for a reason. We drafted Kaiir for a reason (Bernard and villi CB too). We have to try something different as well as get better talent, imho…

If our defense just stunk up the field again playing KC in KC I would hope we at the very least, part ways with Leslie….

I don’t mind losing again. It would be how we lose… if the D just stinks again, it’s time to move on (and you can make a great case it should have been last year.)

[julian]

1 hour ago, KDIGGZ said:

I think if we lose to KC similar to the way we did last time then it's definitely a conversation, but I think he's built a winning culture and I think he will be given the benefit of the doubt and if anything they might be replacing Leslie and other other coordinators before they get rid of McD

If he again this year, back to back years is the reason they lose against KC then it’s a discussion. To say any loss against KC  would lead to a McDermott hot seat isn’t accurate IMHO.

[Gugny]

If we don't go 22-0 this year, then I want his bald little wrasslin' clap-happy ass outta here.

[JDubya76]

[BADOLBILZ]

55 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

McD is our coach.  Period.  He is not on any kind of hot seat.  
 

However if we were to miss the playoffs while everyone was mostly healthy, then sure it could mean a HC change is possible.  
 

But let’s be real, the odds of that happening are almost impossible.  If we stay healthy this team could sleep walk it’s way to at least 10 wins with even losers like Juaron, Gase, Meyer, etc at the helm.  
 

So, basically I had to choose the nearly possible scenario of everyone being healthy and we still miss the playoffs.  But in reality where that is never gonna happen, the answer is basically A.  
 

If we fall short in the playoffs again, he could enter next year on a hotter seat, but he’s not on one now.  

 

 

The odds of missing the playoffs are "almost impossible"?

 

This is the kind of offseason hyperbolic jibberish that makes May-August a difficult read here on TSW.

 

The Bills had a much easier schedule in 2021 and yet they were just 7-6 and on the outside of the playoff picture looking in due to a bad AFC record after 13 games.

 

They had lost to literally the worst team in the league........scoring only 6 points.

 

The AFC is much deeper this year.........Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan and possibly DeShaun Watson have been added to talented rosters........the Chargers loaded up in UFA.......the AFC champs totally revamped their terrible OL........the Dolphins finished last year winning 8 of 9 and improved their roster.........the Jets roster is now more talented than the Jaguars team that the seemingly stacked 2021 Bills lost to.........

 

There are a lot of ways to miss the playoffs in the AFC in 2022.    

 

Have you been under a rock?

 

It's not "almost impossible".       

 

How do people so quickly forget how the NFL actually works?

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by BADOLBILZ

[WotAGuy]

24 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

*Is there any circumstances you would move on from McDermott after 2022?

 

*Are (the noun is plural)

 

 

No!  A thousand times no!  It’s what gives the OP that special “something”. 

[JohnNord]

I don’t think so… even if the this season goes sideways he’s done enough to earn another season.  You don’t move on from McDermott unless things go catastrophically bad

[TAinLack.]

if he claps more than he usually does!

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

As an overreactive fan....after every game they lose, fire him...when they win, he’s great!

[CSBill]

I guess anything is possible, but likely? Almost 0% happening--only something catastrophic would cause this to happen.

[NewEra]

26 minutes ago, billybrew1 said:

For me…. It would be how we lost to KC in the playoffs for the third straight year…. Though I have high hopes we win home-field (at least vs. the chefs) and we beat them twice this year and both games count. Just like we beat them last year. It counted.

What we need to see is a different approach to defending Mahomes and the other great QBs. We built a new DL for a reason. We drafted Kaiir for a reason (Bernard and villi CB too). We have to try something different as well as get better talent, imho…

If our defense just stunk up the field again playing KC in KC I would hope we at the very least, part ways with Leslie….

I don’t mind losing again. It would be how we lose… if the D just stinks again, it’s time to move on (and you can make a great case it should have been last year.)

Ok champ, make a great case for firing him this past season. 
 

[Mikie2times]

While I think people are stuck in some euphoric bubble (despite entering and exiting and entering the same bubble last year). It would really, really take a lot. I mean Andy Reid was given over a decade in Philly. He has a great relationship with our GM. I would say even with a clean playoff miss he is still around. If we keep getting close, like it or not, he will be given a lot of chances to finish the job. 

Edited May 17, 2022 by KzooMike

[todd]

Yeah, fire the best coach since Marv. Great idea! Total coaching staff overhaul that follows would be awesome! What the hell, why not just fire him now? Get a head start on it! 
 

Wasn’t there a similar crusade every week or two during the season? 

 

 

[mrags]

I didn’t vote because my only determining factor is not listed. #3 could be considered but too broad. Of course it means us losing. But if we have more epic breakdowns when it means the most like Tennessee last year, or the .13 I’d be ok with him being replaced. I also would be fine with keeping him depending on the situation as well. But utter collapse and it being all on the decision making of McD and I’d be ok with moving on. We should have a Lombardi trophy right now but his decision making screwed that up. Just MO. 

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

I'd want to move on if we missed the playoffs (barring injuries). This roster is loaded, including a top 5 (or top 3 or the best) QB in the league on a rookie contract. If you can't make the playoffs with that I don't really care what else he's done for us. 

 

I'd also consider moving on if the defense is shredded in the playoffs again. Even if you ignore "13 seconds" the D was absolutely shredded by the Chiefs (twice) and was pretty darn bad against the Colts as well.