Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has been one of the NFL’s most successful head coaches since taking over as head coach in 2017. McDermott’s .636 winning percentage as Bills head coach is the best in franchise history.
Before McDermott came to Buffalo, he was Ron Rivera’s defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers for six seasons. Rivera and McDermott first worked together on Andy Reid’s staff with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2001-03.
Buy Commanders TicketsRivera, now in his fourth season as head coach of the Washington Commanders, has faced McDermott twice. Rivera’s Panthers defeated the Bills 9-3 in 2017, and McDermott’s Bills dominated Washington 43-21 in 2021.
After Wednesday’s practice, McDermott spoke to the media about Rivera’s influence.
“You try to take the best you see from those around you, and I’ve learned a lot by being around coach [Rivera], whether it be in Philadelphia for those years working under Andy Reid or in Carolina when I was working under coach Rivera,” McDermott said per Aidan Joly of WIVB 4.
McDermott praised Rivera, who won his 100th career game last week at Denver.
“He’s a great leader and a great head coach,” McDermott said. “He’s well-deserving of all the attention he gets.”
The Commanders have a chance to begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 2005 but face a stiff test in McDermott’s Bills, a legit Super Bowl contender.
