Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula fired coach Sean McDermott immediately after their divisional round loss to the Denver Broncos. Pegula described the locker room's despair and quarterback Josh Allen's tears as key factors. He cited the team hitting a "proverbial playoff wall" as the reason for the sudden change.

Pegula emphasized he made the decision alone, without input from Allen or GM Brandon Beane. The owner defended Beane, who was promoted to president of football operations. Pegula also controversially insisted the overtime play that ended the game should have been ruled a catch for Brandin Cooks.

The move ends McDermott's seven-year tenure, which included six playoff appearances but no Super Bowl trips. Buffalo's recent playoff heartbreaks, like the 13-second collapse and the 2026 overtime loss, clearly influenced Pegula. The organization now seeks a new coach to finally break through the AFC's top tier.