Bills Owner Says the Playoff Loss to the Broncos Led to Sean McDermott's Firing

In their first joint press conference since the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane addressed members of the media on Wednesday. Despite praising McDermott in his opening statement, Pegula said that the Divisional Round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos ultimately led to McDermott's dismissal.

"My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver," he explained. "I know we can do better, and I know we will get better... I did not fire a coach based on a bad officiating decision. If I can take you into that locker room, I felt like we hit the proverbial playoff wall year after year. 13 seconds. Missed field goals. The catch. I just sensed in that locker room, like, 'Where do we go from here with what we have?' And that was the basis for my decision."

After giving his explanation, Pegula threw his support behind the Bills' ninth-year GM.

"I want to express my confidence in the guy sitting next to me, Brandon Beane, and the job he has done in resurrecting this franchise," he said. "I'm not going to sit here and defend everything we have done as a franchise. But, the bottom line is we have attracted good people here... There have been some very talented people that Brandon is associated with that he has brought through the front door here at 1 Bills Drive."

"I'm aware there's criticism out there about our franchise," Pegula continued. "Our roster is a direct reflection of the hard work that Brandon and our scouting staff has done through the years. One may complain over a deal, over a player, over a result. But the bottom line is success over a long period of time means we're doing something right."

Terry Pegula then claimed that the Bills' head coaching position will be highly sought after by numerous people throughout the NFL.

"I'm looking forward to having a successful coaching search. I know this is a desirable job," he said. " Our phones are ringing, and we're going to begin that process."

When Brandon Beane first spoke, he acknowledged that members of the Bills organization will have a lot on their plates over the next few months.

"We have a lot of work to do this off-season, like we do every year," Beane told reporters. "We'll have decisions, and I know you guys will have roster questions or particular player questions. We'll answer those the best we can... I understand the frustrations out there. No one puts more pressure on me than myself."

Beane then explained how important it is for the Bills to get quarterback Josh Allen to the Super Bowl.

"We have - as Terry eluded to - an MVP quarterback, who just completed his eighth season here, and we have got to help him get to the Super Bowl and bring a championship to Buffalo," he said. "I bear guilt, blame, responsibility. There's no finger-pointing. I understand there's things I could've done better. And we're always looking to get better, and that will never change... The goal here is to bring a championship to Buffalo... We have to get it over the top, and that starts with finding the right head coach."

Though Beane claimed that there would be no finger-pointing, that statement didn't turn out to be entirely true. When a reporter asked Brandon Beane about the shortcomings of second-year wideout and former second-round draft pick Keon Coleman, Terry Pegula decided to clear the air on that draft pick.

"I'll address the Keon situation," he interjected. "The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I'm not saying Brandon wouldn't have drafted him, but he wasn't his next choice... He's taken, for some reason, heat over it and not saying a word about it. But, I'm here to tell you the true story."

To close out the press conference, a reporter told Pegula and Beane that some players were apparently upset McDermott was fired, but the Bills' owner didn't seem to think much of those reports.

"Everybody has their opinion. We can all speak our mind," Pegula said. "I made the decision, and it is my decision... I didn't go back on (my decision)."