Dan Orlovsky, ESPN NFL analyst, recently criticized Buffalo Bills fans who are calling for head coach Sean McDermott’s firing following the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Orlovsky expressed his disbelief over the calls for McDermott’s job, while also pointing out the Bills’ defensive struggles, particularly in their secondary, which need attention for the next season.
In the AFC Championship game, the Bills fell short with a 32-29 defeat. Quarterback Josh Allen threw for 237 yards, completing 22 of 34 passes and scoring twice. James Cook led the team on the ground with 85 yards and two touchdowns, while Mack Hollins contributed 73 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Orlovsky stated, “Changing the head coach is preposterous… Buffalo needs to add a difference-maker or two in their back seven.” He emphasized that while players like Rasul Douglas have potential, the team lacks a standout defensive player like those on Kansas City’s defense, such as Justin Reid and Trent McDuffie. He also noted that the Bills need to strengthen their perimeter.
McDermott, who has been the head coach of the Bills since 2017, holds a 7-7 postseason record. Orlovsky’s defense of McDermott is backed by the coach’s long-standing role with the team and his experience as the former defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
Alongside his defense of McDermott, Orlovsky also stood by quarterback Josh Allen, who has faced criticism for the Bills’ playoff losses to the Chiefs. Despite critics suggesting Allen might be “cursed,” Orlovsky pointed to Allen’s solid performance, including a 3,731-yard, 28-touchdown season in 2024, as evidence that the quarterback’s stats tell a different story.
