The Buffalo Bills let go of their head coach, Sean McDermott, earlier this offseason after nine years.

Recently, McDermott was spotted visiting the New York Giants’ minicamp on Monday, as reported by NFL Columnist and Giants’ beat writer, Pat Leonard. 

“Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott just walked onto the field here at Giants minicamp practice with Joe Schoen,” posted Leonard on X on Monday. 

Grey Papke of Larry Brown Sports shared that GM Joe Schoen and Sean McDermott go a long way back. Schoen was the Bills’ assistant GM from 2017 to 2021, which also were the first five seasons of McDermott in his head coaching role. 

Papke added that this appearance may not mean that McDermott could land a formal role with the Giants, as he had previously turned down full-time opportunities elsewhere in the league.

Greg Auman of Fox Sports had reported in January that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers approached McDermott to join their defensive staff. But he was determined to take the year off and reassess his options in 2027. 

McDermott took over the head coaching job for the Buffalo Bills in 2017. Throughout his nine years at the Bills, he tallied a 98-50 regular-season record. The team made 8-8 in the playoffs for eight seasons and failed to qualify once. 

McDermott had plenty of wins and led the Bills to many playoffs, but he was shown the exit as the team didn’t win a Super Bowl or bag a Lombardi Trophy, as per Evan Massey of heavy.com.

Papke concluded by saying that while the Bills’ players were against the front office’s decision to let go of McDermott, the organization decided that it was time for some change after the Bills lost in the Divisional round for the fourth time in five seasons. 

This sentiment was reflected by NFL fans' reaction to the former Bills head coach’s appearance at the Giants’ minicamp.

NFL Fans React Unfavorably to Sean McDermott’s Appearance at the Giants’ Minicamp

NFL fans responded negatively to Pat Leonard’s post on X about the former Bills’ head coach reaching the Giants’ minicamp alongside GM Joe Schoen.

Afan recalled the nine years McDermott spent at the Bills, but still kept them waiting for a Super Bowl and the Lombardi Trophy. 

“Worst ‘defensive mind’ in the history of the NFL, dude shoulda been fired 4 year ago,” said the fan.

“Their defense instantly sucks,” commented another fan.

One fan addressed the earlier reports of Tampa Bay asking him to be their defensive coordinator. 

“He received so much bad press, he might have to be a D coordinator b4 getting another head coach,” wrote the fan under the X post.

The New York Giants recently hired their new head coach, John Harbaugh, for the 2026 season. 

Taking this into account, a fan commented, “I’m sure if Harbaugh is smart, he’ll tell Schoen he don’t want this loser anywhere near the Giants organization.”

A fan speculated McDermott’s next move and added, “He’s going to be the Patriots' next coach. Maybe Jets.”

While McDermott remains one of the league’s experienced coaches, his appearance at the Giants’ minicamp generated sharp criticism from several NFL fans online.

What are your thoughts on McDermott?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi