Terry Pegula talks out of both sides of his mouth while trying to explain why he fired Sean McDermott
Terry Pegula did himself no favors with his comments about Sean McDermott’s firing.
The Buffalo Bills’ firing of head coach Sean McDermott has been a huge failure.
From an optics perspective, the PR team didn’t do themselves any favors. From a typo in McDermott’s departure message, to not sharing McDermott’s own farewell letter, to now Wednesday’s disastrous press conference.
It’s safe to say things aren’t going too smoothly over at One Bills Drive.
Terry Pegula reveals the truth behind McDermott’s firing
Owner Terry Pegula opened up the first press conference since McDermott’s firing, thanking McDermott and his family for all they have done for Buffalo. Quickly, though, it transformed into the reason why McDermott was fired, and fans aren’t too happy with his response.
“My decision to bring in a new head coach was based on the results of our game in Denver [ . . . ] I walked over to Josh, and he didn’t even acknowledge I was there. First thing I said to him, “that was a catch”, we all know what I’m talking about, he didn’t acknowledge me, he just sat there sobbing, he was listless, he gave everything he had to try and win that game.”
Pegula thanks McDermott without thanking McDermott
So, McDermott was fired because of a bad call by the officiating crew? Well, at least that was the start of it. Pegula is coming under fire for talking out of both sides of his mouth during the press conference, going back and forth while seemingly praising McDermott for the work he was able to do with a banged-up roster, all while not even thinking that he was actually praising McDermott.
“I mean, look at the injuries we had this year,” Pegula said. “We’re down, guys on the practice squad contributing in big games. You don’t do that without talent in the front office, getting you there.”
You also don’t do that without exceptional coaching and a resiliency that is unmatched in the NFL. What McDermott did with a roster of guys that included linebacker Baylon Spector and cornerback Dane Jackson, taking reps in the divisional round, is remarkable, and shouldn’t be thrown over to Beane for his accomplishments. McDermott battled with next to nothing toward the end of the season in terms of depth and was one bad call away from being in the AFC Championship game.
In trying to explain the decision, Pegula only made the case stronger for why McDermott deserved more respect on his way out. What was framed as justification for the firing instead read like an indictment of the process. McDermott didn’t lose the locker room, didn’t lose his quarterback, and didn’t lose the season because of effort or preparation. He lost on the thinnest of margins, with a battered roster that overachieved when it had no business doing so.
Pegula’s answers only led to more questions that didn’t add up
Pegula certainly did himself zero favors on Wednesday. He can’t sit there and say he knows “the catch that wasn’t” is the reason why the Bills lost to the Broncos and then turn around in the next breath and say it was McDermott’s inability to get the team over the hump that led to his demise.
He even said the non-catch was what kept the Bills from being a Super Bowl team – so which one was it? It can’t be both, yet he’s making it out as such.
He only makes it worse with the injury comments, as well. It’s one thing to justify starting talent and immediate depth on a roster, but it’s a coin toss afterward. It’s up to the coaching staff to provide results when a roster is cut down to third-stringers and practice squad players.
If those guys are as talented as Pegula believes, then the Bills would flirt with undefeated seasons and Super Bowl rings every single year, and obviously, that’s not the case.
If this truly is a “new day” in Buffalo, it’s a messy one. It came at the expense of the coach who steadied the franchise when it needed it most.
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