Sean McDermott is going to be a Defensive Coordinator once again, something that he hasn't done since 2016.

In this week's newsletter, I'll give you a better idea of what you can expect with McDermott as the DC while I dive through his past defenses and coaching career.

Before I talk about McDermott for a thousand words, we need to acknowledge the stacked AFC East division featuring:

• Mac Jones without Matt Patricia & his pencil that he couldn't even use with his laminated call sheet
• Aaron Rodgers after his return from the shadow realm
• Tua after taking Jiu Jitsu lessons to learn how to fall (I thought everyone learned how to fall at 5 years old)

McDermott Turns Heads During the Chiefs Game

When rumors that Sean McDermott took over the play calling against the Chiefs during a crucial drive in the playoffs came out, many fans turned their heads.

It was a moment that sparked curiosity, and later, those suspicions proved to be true as Leslie Frazier (the defensive coordinator at the time) decided to step down a year later.

McDermott's Stellar Defensive History

Sean McDermott's journey to becoming one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the NFL started long before his time with the Buffalo Bills.

He made his mark as the Defensive Coordinator for the Carolina Panthers for an impressive six years.

However, that quickly changed under McDermott's guidance.

From 2012 to 2015, Carolina's defense finished in the top 10 in yards allowed each season, showcasing their strength, tenacity, and ability to neutralize opponents.

In 2015, the Panthers' defense reached its peak, leading the league in interceptions (24) and takeaways (39), while earning a 15-1 record on their way to Super Bowl 50.

Over those six years, the Panthers' defense boasted impressive statistics, ranking:

• 2nd in the NFL in sacks (261)
• 3rd in takeaways (169)
• 9th in yards allowed per game (339.1)
• 12th in points allowed per game (22.1)

McDermott's Eagles Tenure - Starting From the Bottom

Before his time with the Panthers, McDermott learned everything about football with the Philadelphia Eagles as he climbed the coaching ranks year after year.

McDermott started as a Scouting Administrative Coordinator and eventually worked his way up to the position of Defensive Coordinator 10 years later.

• 1998: Scouting Administrative Coordinator
• 1999-2000: Assistant to the Head Coach
• 2001-2002: Defensive Assistant/Quality Control Coach
• 2003: Assistant Secondary Coach
• 2004-2006: Secondary &. Safeties Coach
• 2007: Linebackers Coach
• 2008: Secondary Coach
• 2009-2010: Defensive Coordinator (Eagles)
• 2011-2016: Defensive Coordinator (Panthers)
• 2017-2022: Head Coach (Bills)
• 2023: Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator

Although McDermott's rise through the ranks happened over time, the Defensive Coordinator role came suddenly and unexpectedly when he had to take over from the legendary Jim Johnson, who had to take a medical leave of absence due to cancer (and, sadly, later passed away a few days after he was officially named DC).

McDermott would become one of the youngest coordinators in the league at 36 years old.

McDermott's 2 Year Defensive Coordinator Stint With the Eagles

His first coordinator job can be summarized in two words:

McDermott would face some major challenges in his first year as a coordinator, key players like Star Safety Brian Dawkins left for Free Agency to the Broncos, arguably their best linebacker Stewart Bradley suffered a torn ACL, and Brandon Graham & Nate Allen would both end up injured.

Although he would follow Jim Johnson's blueprint of an aggressive blitzing defense, he would be unable to consistently generate much pressure during games.

The results were mixed throughout the first season, as they gave up 20+ points in 8 games, but earned an 11-5 record.

The second season was even more of a mixed bag, as the Eagles gave up 20+ points in 11 games, but the most frustrating shortcoming was in the red zone.

Many players and even Andy Reid would acknowledge that he was put into an unfair situation between the sudden passing of their previous legendary coach, and injuries mounting.

While the Eagles' defense experienced some growing pains, they still managed to force 34 turnovers, the fifth-highest in the league, with 23 interceptions, the third-most.

What to Expect from McDermott as the Bills' Defensive Coordinator

It's clear that McDermott learned from his shortcomings in Philadelphia, as he bounced back in Carolina and put some of the best defenses of the decade on the field.

Style of Defense

McDermott runs a 4-3, one-gap system allowing both Defensive linemen and Linebackers to do less thinking, with less responsibility and more playing.

Although he was a very aggressive blitzing play-caller during his Eagles tenure, he has since toned it down, deciding to bring the blitz in specific situations.

This simplicity fundamentally allows the Defense to play fast and allows rookies to immediately be able to contribute.

In the backend, similarly to Vic Fangio (and what you can expect from the Dolphins this year), McDermott loves giving two high safety looks, only to rotate them post-snap, always giving QBs the challenge to solve a puzzle of what the Defense is running after the ball is snapped.

He also loved running the double mug and bringing the A-gap blitz to switch things up and give offenses fits, so I'm sure that will return.

McDermott heavily used zone coverage, almost every coverage while with the Panthers. However, 2016 was a long time ago, so it'll be interesting to see if he'll bring in any man-match coverage.

Although McDermott has toned down the blitzing, make no mistake about it this Bills Defense will be more aggressive than it was under Frazier.

Frazier's Defense resembled a more static Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith style defense (both of who he was an assistant for previously)

What to Work On

Something specifically that irked fans the last few years was the corner alignments on 3rd and short situations.

There were a few times during the playoffs when the situation was 3rd and short, but the BIlls corners were positioned 7 yards off the ball, allowing for easy conversions.

It almost seemed at times like the Defense was willing to give up the easy throws as long as they didn't give up the big throw, however in situations like those, the offense doesn't need to make the big throw.

Whether this was Leslie Frazier's call or Sean McDermott's, we'll find out soon enough.

What to Look Forward To

Star pass rusher Von Miller is returning from a torn ACL and will add considerable firepower to the defensive line.

Although he is getting up there in age at 34 years old, he's still one of the best pass rushers in the league.

It's always weird how this world works - Von Miller tortured the Panthers in Super Bowl 50 while winning Super Bowl MVP and denying McDermott a Super Bowl...

And now they're on the same team trying to win one.

The Challenge of Dual Roles

One of the most significant challenges Sean McDermott will face is balancing his responsibilities as the Defensive Coordinator and the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Being a head coach demands constant attention to multiple aspects of the team, daily, from every small problem to every big problem.

On the other hand, being a coordinator requires intense focus and attention to detail in crafting defensive strategies, while prepping for the game, and while making adjustments in the game.

McDermott will have to find the right balance, especially during the game needing to make in-game adjustments, but not being sucked into the iPad for long periods while the offense is on the field.

Over the last two years specifically, I feel that the Bills defense has failed them in the playoffs:

• Losing 42-36 to the Chiefs in 2022
• Losing 27-10 to the Bengals in 2023

As long as they have Josh Allen, the Bills have a chance to win it all every year, and if McDermott has taught us anything throughout his career it's that he learns from his mistakes.

With all that being said, it's going to be interesting if McDermott helps them get over the hump, or if the defense regresses.
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