Bills players can't hold back feelings after McDermott firing

News that the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott not only surprised fans — it stunned a number of Buffalo players, too.

To recap, Bills owner Terry Pegula dismissed McDermott on Monday, two days after the Bills suffered a heartbreaking 33–30 loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.

McDermott finished his time with the Bills with a 98–50 regular-season record and an 8–8 record in the playoffs. His 106 total wins rank second in franchise history behind Marv Levy, who had 123. Crucially, though, McDermott never won a conference championship, let alone hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in the Super Bowl.

Several Bills players took to social media to express their feelings about their former coach, but the biggest Bills player of them all was curiously silent. Quarterback Josh Allen posted nothing on social media about the only head coach he’s played for during his eight-year NFL career.

That aligns with something veteran Bills reporter Sal Maiorana noted on Monday — that Allen was neither present nor available to speak to reporters as the team cleaned out its lockers on Sunday. He has always been available on that day in previous years.

Bills players react to firing of Sean McDermott

Dion Dawkins reaction

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 #YouAlreadyShnowpic.twitter.com/GAMqreeilo

— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 19, 2026

Damar Hamlin reaction

💔💔💔.

— 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

Gabe Davis reaction

Wide receiver Gabe Davis shared a Buffalo Fanatics post to his Instagram stories and then shared his own feelings.

"He is Buffalo ... Gonna be missed for sure. Great Coach and friend, love ya Coach.

James Cook reaction

Running back James Cook shared a FOX Sports reel to Instagram stories that summarized McDermott's accomplishments, but he didn't react.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills players react after Sean McDermott fired