Buffalo Bills Next Head Coach Odds: Who Will Replace Sean McDermott?

By Bill Speros

Jan 23rd, 2026 2:16 PM EST

(USA TODAY)

The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott on Monday. The move comes two days after the team suffered another gut-ripping playoff exit. Buffalo lost 33-30 in OT at Denver Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoff Round. The defeat leaves Josh Allen with an 8-7 postseason record. This loss came complete with the agony of a questionable interception call in OT, five lost turnovers, and another closed door to the Super Bowl. Moreover, it comes in a year without Patrick Mahomes in Allen's way. Check our “Next Buffalo Bills Head Coach Odds” below.

"Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past 9 seasons," owner Terry Pegula said in a statement. "But I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level. We owe that to our players and to Bills Mafia."

McDermott’s firing, meanwhile, signals the 10th coaching chance this offseason and leaves New England’s Mike Vrabel – just 372 days into the job – as the senior head coach in the AFC East. Adding to pain felt across Bills Mafia this weekend, the Patriots stampeded past the Texans to reach the AFC Championship Game for the 14th time this century.

Buffalo Bills Next Head Coach Odds

McDermott coached Buffalo to a a 98-50 record but went just 8-8 in the postseason. Under McDermott, the Bills failed to reach the Super Bowl and lost the AFC Championship Game twice. The Bills won five straight AFC East titles (2020-24) following the departure of Tom Brady from New England.

John Harbaugh and the Giants agreed to terms on a deal over the weekend. The Bills’ opening means there are eight NFL head coaching vacancies. Here’s a look at the odds to be the Bills next head coach, via Bookes.com Jared Kimble, as part of our NFL betting insight.

Old Man Rivers Enters The Race (Jan. 23 update)

The Bills’ coaching search took a stunning turn Friday as former Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers officially interviewed for the head coaching vacancy. Rivers, who recently returned to the field for a three-game stint with the Colts, is a “wild card” candidate with deep ties to Josh Allen.

While Rivers lacks NFL coaching experience, having spent the last several years leading St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, his football IQ and leadership are highly regarded by Brandon Beane.

Stay tuned....

Bills Next Head Coaching Candidates Analysis

Brian Daboll jumps to the top of any Next Buffalo Bills Head Coach Odds list. Daboll served as the team’s offensive coordinator before taking the Giants head coaching job. Thus, he brings immediate familiarity with Josh Allen and would likely have Allen’s support. Bills general manager Brandon Beane, meanwhile, earned a promotion to President of Football Operations and GM and leads the search for McDermott's replacement.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Allen still “loves” Daboll, and many around the Bills organization share that sentiment.

Clearly Allen – at least unofficially – will own some say in his next head coach. Thus, the number of offensive-leaning candidates on this list. That includes the team’s current offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. However, if the Bills planned on simply moving Brady up within the organization, they likely would have done so when announcing the move to dismiss McDermott.

Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s team plays the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Kubiak further developed Sam Darnold this season. And Darnold got his first playoff win in Seattle’s 41-6 destruction of San Francisco on Saturday. Kubiak balances the Seahawks’ offense so Darnold does not have to carry the load by himself for Seattl,e the current Super Bowl favorite at top sportsbook apps. That approach might be just what Allen needs to get over the proverbial hump/Mount Everest in the AFC.

Change Necessary Before Clock Runs Out On Allen

Mike McDaniel’s star morphed into a Black Hole in Miami. He has agreed to become the Chargers OC if he does not land the Bills job.

Allen, 29, enters his ninth season in September. Meanwhile, Allen owns the dubious record for the most playoff wins (8) and most playoff starts (15) without making a Super Bowl appearance since the 1970 merger.

It’s clear a change was necessary in Buffalo. Now, the question remains, in which direction will the Bills be headed?

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