After firing head coach Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills have their work cut out in trying to find a replacement that could do what he didn’t: win a Super Bowl.
The team got a start on finding McDermott’s successor on Wednesday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Buffalo has scheduled an interview with Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn and requested an interview with former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady will also get a head coach interview.
Multiple reports also indicated Buffalo has requested interviews with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Josh Allen Wants a Say in Next Head Coach
GettyBuffalo Bills QB Josh Allen
According to Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News, star quarterback Josh Allen will play a pivotal role in the team’s search for a new head coach.
“A source close to Josh Allen tells me he’s appreciative of his 8 years with Sean McDermott,” Skurski wrote on X. “Allen, I’m told, has faith in the leadership of the team under Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane, and will take an active role in participating in the upcoming head coaching interviews.”
The news comes just hours after Bills owner Terry Pegula told reporters that Allen wasn’t informed of McDermott’s firing before it happened.
“He didn’t have any input at all — I didn’t talk to Josh about this,” Pegula stated. “I talked to him after and that convo will stay private but he had no input in it.”
During his 9-year tenure, McDermott won 98 games—fifth-most among active head coaches behind Kansas City’s Andy Reid (279), Mike Tomlin (193), Denver’s Sean Payton (184), and New York’s John Harbaugh (180)—along with 8 playoff appearances, 7 seasons of double-digit wins, 5 division titles, and 2 AFC Championship Game appearances.
Bills Head Coaching Candidates
GettyDenver Broncos pass-game coordinator Davis Webb
Many NFL insiders believe that Brady and Daboll are the frontrunners for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy.
Several other prominent names have been linked to Buffalo as well including former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
But one name who’s becoming increasingly popular in NFL circles is Denver Broncos pass-game coordinator and QB coach Davis Webb.
The 31-year-old assistant is considered to be one of the “next big things” in the coaching world, and he’s been praised for the work he did this year with Bo Nix, who threw for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Webb also has a history with the Bills—and Allen specifically—spending three years on the team’s practice squad, where he spent a lot of time around Allen and learning how he operates.
The downside of Webb is his inexperience in the coaching world. He got into coaching just three years ago as the Broncos quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to pass-game coordinator this season, and if he were to land the HC job, it’s believed the team would want to pair him with a strong offensive mind like Brady or Daboll as his OC.
Josh Allen to Have Major Role in Who is the Bills Next Head Coach