Buffalo Bills players took to social media to react to the team’s decision to part ways with head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, just two days after a controversial overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.
The Bills again fell short in the playoffs, losing 33-30 to the Broncos in a matchup overshadowed by a questionable interception call on a contested play that could’ve set up Buffalo to kick a game-winning field goal if ruled a catch. Still looking to reach their first Super Bowl in the Josh Allen era, the Bills opted to move on from McDermott after nine seasons while retaining general manager Brandon Beane.
Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips called McDermott’s departure “stupid” in an Instagram post, adding that he’s “the best coach I’ve ever been around.”
Teammate DaQuan Jones also wasn’t a fan of the change.
“Doesn’t make sense, but ya got what ya wanted,” Jones wrote.
Phillips and Jones were among many Bills players to share negative reactions to the move.
“He changed the whole culture,” linebacker Shaq Lawson stated.
Shaq Lawson and Levi Wallace chime in on the McDermott news on Instagram.
“Shit don’t make sense. He changed the whole culture.” -Lawson
“One of the best I’ve been around.” -Wallace #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/uzS94wjLek
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) January 19, 2026
Taron Johnson IG stories:
‘Smh’#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/st96MlOS91
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 19, 2026
True leader amongst a world full of alphas’s , Honored and Truly Best to learn under our Time. McDeezzyyyy You Are Truly One Of them Ones. 💔 Until The Grass Meets us Again #YouAlreadyShnow pic.twitter.com/GAMqreeilo
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 19, 2026
Maxwell Hairston on Sean McDermott:
“Forever grateful.” pic.twitter.com/0aV0Fvfn9B
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) January 19, 2026
💔💔💔.
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 19, 2026
A True Leader Of Men.
Thank You For Everything! On & Beyond The Field. We Love You Coach. 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/3EFaeybgVU
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 19, 2026
Message from a #Bills player I reached out to about Sean McDermott being fired:
“I’m shook.”#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 19, 2026
Reaction from one #Bills player I reached out to regarding Sean McDermott firing:
“Think it’s bullsh*t tbh”
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) January 19, 2026
Talked to 3 Bills players this morning who are just learning news HC Sean McDermott was fired after we all did. They were all shocked.
One text, “WTF.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 19, 2026
A pair of former Bills players also weighed in on the stunning decision. Defensive lineman Eli Ankou, who had multiple stints with Buffalo from 2021-24, described it as a “scapegoat” move.
“This a finger-pointing competition?” Ankou added.
Best coach I’ve been around https://t.co/gziI5Z43aM
— Kendrick J. Green (@The_fridge53) January 19, 2026