“It’s not fun. But to be the champs you have to beat the champs and we didn’t do that tonight.” Heartbroken Josh Allen addressed the press after the championship loss. The Bills broke hearts again this season. Sadly, Allen became the first QB in NFL history to lose to another quarterback four straight times in the playoffs. The Bills are finding ways to handle the pain of falling short by just three points to break the cycle. In this sensitive time, Josh Allen has sent a heartfelt message to his HC Sean McDermott who had been working his socks off this season. 

When reporters asked Allen about Sean McDermott and what he thinks about him after the loss, he said, “This is gonna sound weird, I’m just so proud of the coach,” Allen said. I don’t know why he’s not recognized more in the awards stuff. That’s the cruddy thing about it.” McDermott has been crucified by fans for his play calls and playoff failures after the loss. But Allen still believes in the HC.

The Bills #17 further added, “But time in and time out, he’s got us in position. We’re fighting to get over that hump, and he gives his life to this. He’s so committed to doing whatever it takes.” He actually echoed what Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said about the Bills coach before the AFC championship matchup. Reid, when asked about McDermott, said, “Sean does a nice job, um. With that, you know, I mean, he’s got a great, great background with all that stuff, so he does a heck of a job.” Sean McDermott has been with the franchise since 2017, one year before Allen was drafted as a seventh overall pick. 

Prior to the game, the Bills HC was confident and wasn’t thinking about past losses to Reid’s side. The Bills were 13-4 in the season. They were the only team to beat the Chiefs (week 11) but they came up short yet again at the Arrowhead. The Bills must be trying to settle down the painful feelings after the loss. 

Josh Allen and McDermott getting over the hump

Sean McDermott has led the franchise like a lion since 2017. For the past seven years, the Bills have never missed the playoffs except for Allen’s rookie year–the 2018 season. As we all know, those post-season campaigns have been shut down on four occasions by the Chiefs. The 2024 season was so important for Allen and McDermott to flip history and prove everyone wrong. After the loss, Sean McDermott said, “I thought [Allen] had it. Just short of the line was actually the first down … sitting next to me with the marker … and it looked like he got to it.” This is what McDermott said at the start of the press conference Sunday, signifying he won’t forget the last moments ever.

When he asked if it was Josh Allen’s fault or any other player’s, McDermott said, “We had some plays where I thought we had a chance to convert a fourth down, a fourth and short, and then another fourth down at the end of the game. It looked like we had a chance to come back, but it didn’t work out.” And before saying this, the HC had stated the obvious, “It’s not the result we were looking for.” Tragic for Buffalo fans. 

However, the coach also said, “I’m very proud of those guys. They fought, they gave it everything they had. They just came up a little short tonight against a very good football team.” That is the spirit a team wants. But people are questioning Sean McDermott’s head coaching future while talking about Josh Allen’s consistent playoff failures. However, no signs of uncertainty about the HC’s tenure have come out.

Fans have unfortunately labeled Josh Allen a ‘choked QB’ after his devastating losses over the years. But he has seven months to work it out and go again. Let’s see how the 2025 season will go for the Bills.