A few high-profile veteran head coaches are going to be taking the year off. Mike Tomlin isn't standing on any team's sidelines this year. Pete Carroll might be done for good. John Harbaugh could have been in the same position, but he landed a new role after being ousted by the Baltimore Ravens.
Sean McDermott is also on the outside looking in.
McDermott was fired after nine seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. That he was even let go in the first place was a bit of a surprise, and the organization's handling of the entire affair was embarrassing to anyone still employed at Highmark Stadium. Still only 52, McDermott should have no problem landing a second chance to lead a franchise—if and when he's ready.
Until then, it seems he's at least interested in staying close to the game. He recently joined Harbaugh in his new environs in New York to spend some time with the Giants in practice. Harbaugh said he wanted to get McDermott's "two cents" on what he observed.
What does this mean for McDermott? It's an interesting question when you consider that he's a very well-respected leader with loads of experience at the helm of an annual contender. He also happens to be available to come and give his "two cents" to any team.
It wouldn't hurt Andy Reid to call an old friend for some perspective for the Chiefs.
The Giants' visit makes sense. Both Harbaugh and McDermott are both longtime members of the Andy Reid coaching tree, having come up with the Philadelphia Eagles organization when Reid was head coach. Both joined the Eagles in 1999 and stayed with the organization for several seasons. When Harbaugh left to take over the Ravens' head coaching post in 2008, it was McDermott who took over his role as defensive backs coach.
Will McDermott's input be welcomed further in New York? That is yet to be determined, but if old friends are spending more time together these days, it might make sense for the Kansas City Chiefs to also schedule a visit with him.
The Chiefs have already undergone a substantial amount of coaching changes this offseason. Eric Bieniemy replaced Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. Chad O'Shea and DeMarco Murray were installed as new offensive assistants for wide receivers and running backs, respectively. Veteran defensive backs coach Andre Curtis was hired, and other minor moves were announced earlier this spring.
Still, after the Chiefs lost 11 games a year ago and sat at home during the entirety of the postseason, it wouldn't hurt Reid to ask someone for their "two cents" if that someone came with McDermott's credibility. That they're longtime colleagues and friends only makes such an invitation seem even more obvious.
It's not uncommon for a storied coach to join a team in a role of special advisor or senior assistant. They can remain in that role for a year while they wait for new opportunities to arise, and perhaps that's where things are headed for McDermott in New York. But the former Bills coach could add a bit more to his resume if he could receive partial credit for any rebound for the Chiefs in 2026. It's at least a call worth making.
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