Josh Allen Criticized Following Sean McDermott’s Dismissal

On January 19, 2026, the Buffalo Bills announced the dismissal of head coach Sean McDermott after a notable nine-season tenure. The decision came following a narrow loss against the Denver Broncos on January 17, where the Bills fell 33-30 in overtime at Empower Field at Mile High.

Josh Allen Under Scrutiny

The release of McDermott has placed quarterback Josh Allen in a critical spotlight. Following the news, some analysts are suggesting that Allen’s performance, rather than coaching strategies, may have led to this significant change in leadership. Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton publicly criticized Allen, asserting, “Why are we tiptoeing around the obvious issue here, and it’s the underperforming Josh Allen.” His commentary aired on the program “First Take.”

Newton highlighted Allen’s turnovers as a crucial factor, particularly referencing a pivotal moment in the game against Denver. He noted, “Out of all the turnovers, the worst turnover for me was the one right before the half, because it was a 10-point swing.” Newton emphasized that such errors impacted the close loss, suggesting inconsistency in Allen’s performance has become a pressing concern.

Sean McDermott’s Legacy

McDermott leaves the franchise with an impressive 98-50 record during the regular season. He successfully led the team to the playoffs in eight out of nine seasons and secured double-digit wins in each of the last seven years. However, he never managed to advance to the Super Bowl, concluding his postseason run with an 8-8 record.

Community Reactions

The reaction from fans and commentators has been diverse. Online discussions have varied from supportive to critical of the coaching decision. Here are a few notable comments:

• “I’d argue their roster construction was a bigger issue than coaching,” one fan stated.
• “He should be fired by providing Josh Allen zero weapons over the past multiple years,” commented another.
• “At what point is your quarterback at fault?” posed a concerned supporter.

Next Steps for the Bills

As the Bills transition to a new head coach, Brandon Beane will take on the role of president of football operations and general manager. He will be responsible for hiring McDermott’s successor.

Owner Terry Pegula expressed confidence in Beane, stating, “I have full faith in and have witnessed Brandon’s outstanding leadership style.” The franchise now looks towards revitalizing its coaching staff while addressing ongoing concerns regarding quarterback performance.