In an emotional press conference that left the Buffalo Bills locker room and fanbase in stunned silence, head coach Sean McDermott fought back tears as he accepted complete responsibility for the team’s heartbreaking 30-33 Divisional Round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos on January 17, 2026. What began as a routine post-game media session quickly turned into one of the most raw and vulnerable moments in recent Bills history when McDermott revealed the true reason behind a fateful in-game decision that many believe cost Buffalo the victory.

The Bills had fought valiantly throughout the contest, erasing a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind Josh Allen’s 412 total yards and three touchdowns. With just over two minutes remaining and trailing 30-27, Buffalo faced a pivotal fourth-and-3 at the Denver 38-yard line. Instead of attempting a 55-yard field goal—which kicker Tyler Bass had made from similar distance earlier in the season—McDermott opted to go for it. Allen’s pass to Dalton Kincaid fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs. Denver then marched 62 yards in six plays for the game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds left.

The decision was immediately second-guessed by analysts, former players, and fans alike. Yet in the aftermath, McDermott stepped to the podium and, with his voice cracking, delivered a confession that shifted the entire narrative.

“Don’t criticize the guys. Aim at me,” McDermott said, wiping away tears as the room fell quiet. “The players gave everything they had tonight. Josh was incredible. The defense battled. The special teams fought through. If there’s failure here—if there’s blame—it’s all on me.”

He paused, visibly struggling to compose himself, before continuing.

“I made a terrible call on that fourth down. Everyone knows it. But what you don’t know is why. Before the game, I received some devastating personal news. A family member—someone very close to me—was involved in a serious medical emergency. I got the call right as we were walking out of the tunnel for warm-ups. I tried to compartmentalize it, to push it aside, to focus on the game. But I couldn’t. My mind was split. I wasn’t thinking clearly. That fourth-down call? That was me making a decision with a clouded head.

I should have kicked the field goal. I know that now. I knew it the second the ball hit the turf.”

McDermott explained that the news involved a close relative suffering a sudden cardiac event, requiring immediate hospitalization. He chose not to disclose the family member’s identity out of respect for privacy but confirmed that the individual is stable and recovering as of Sunday morning. The coach said he informed no one on the coaching staff or in the front office during the game, fearing it would distract the team.

“I didn’t tell anyone,” he admitted. “I thought I could handle it. I’ve coached through tough personal times before. But tonight… tonight was different. The weight of it hit me all at once. When that fourth down came up, my instinct should have been conservative—protect the three points, trust our kicker, live to fight another series. Instead, I went aggressive. I went for the jugular. And it backfired. That’s on me. Not Josh. Not the play-callers. Not the offensive line. Me.”

Contrary to what many expected—an outpouring of criticism from a passionate and often vocal Bills Mafia—the fan response was overwhelmingly supportive. Social media filled with messages of concern, prayers, and solidarity rather than anger. #WeStandWithSean trended nationwide within minutes. Fans shared stories of their own experiences coaching youth sports, parenting, or working through personal crises, emphasizing the human side of a profession that too often demands robotic perfection.

“Coach, take care of your family first. We love you,” one prominent Bills Twitter account posted, garnering over 50,000 likes in hours. Another read: “He’s human. He’s hurting. That’s all that matters right now.”

Even national media personalities, known for their sharp post-game takes, softened their tone. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who had initially questioned the call live on air, later tweeted: “After hearing what Sean just said… perspective changes everything. Prayers to him and his family.”

Players, too, rallied around their coach. Josh Allen, who had been visibly emotional after the loss, spoke briefly outside the locker room.

“Coach Mac is the best leader I’ve ever had,” Allen said. “He carries so much for us every single day. Tonight he carried something heavier than any of us knew. We’re behind him 100%. This one hurts, but we hurt for him more.”

The revelation adds another layer to an already dramatic night that included Josh Allen’s post-game accusation that Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had used an unauthorized device in his helmet. That controversy remains under NFL investigation, but for many in Buffalo, McDermott’s admission has overshadowed it entirely.

McDermott concluded his press conference by reiterating his commitment to the team and the city.

“I’ll take full responsibility,” he said. “Whatever comes next—fine, suspension, whatever the league or the organization decides—that’s fine. I deserve it. But please, don’t take it out on the players. They fought their hearts out. They deserved better from me tonight.”

As the Bills now face an offseason filled with questions about roster changes, contract extensions, and potential front-office moves, the organization enters it under a different light. Sean McDermott, the longest-tenured head coach in franchise history and architect of the Bills’ resurgence from perennial losers to perennial contenders, has reminded everyone that even the strongest leaders are vulnerable.

In a league that celebrates toughness and stoicism, McDermott’s tears and accountability may prove more impactful than any win. For a fanbase that has endured decades of heartbreak, this moment of raw humanity has forged an even deeper bond.

Buffalo stands with Sean McDermott—not just as their coach, but as one of their own.