Allen’s Airborne Leap: McDermott’s Top Bills Memory

Allen’s Airborne Leap: McDermott’s Top Bills Memory

Sean McDermott, the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, recently joined The Rich Eisen Show and shared some candid thoughts on his time with the team, his favorite memory of star quarterback Josh Allen, and his future in coaching.

McDermott, looking rested after a year away from the intense NFL schedule, admitted that the approach of the NFL Draft brings back a familiar urge to be involved. He described the pre-draft period as a time when the heavy lifting is done, but the general manager often fields calls and executes strategies for the first round and beyond. Coaches, on the other hand, are typically focused on their own players and the offseason program, with only check-ins with the GM at this stage.

Draft Day Drama: Landing Josh Allen

The conversation turned to the 2018 NFL Draft, the year the Bills drafted Josh Allen. McDermott recalled the nervousness of draft day, especially when targeting a player like Allen and knowing they would need to trade up. He revealed that their initial plan didn’t unfold as expected, forcing them to pivot to a second option.

“We felt like we had a couple partners to that would possibly dance with us,” McDermott explained. “And um, you know, it came to fruition.

Uh, but the first one um didn’t unfold kind of the first partner we thought we were going to be able to dance with, it didn’t turn out. And so, um, we had to pivot a little bit.”

While McDermott wouldn’t name the first potential trade partner, he acknowledged the significant ramifications that could have followed. Ultimately, the pivot worked, leading to the selection of what many consider one of the best quarterbacks in league history.

Allen: Beyond the Field

When asked about his favorite moments with Josh Allen, McDermott highlighted both his personality and his physical prowess. He fondly recalled seeing Allen chugging a beer before a Buffalo Sabres playoff game, calling it a perfect example of his connection with the city. “That’s that’s it, right?” McDermott said.

“Owns the locker room. He is He’s got the it factor, just naturally has that IT factor.”

Beyond the public persona, McDermott praised Allen’s character off the field, noting his positive interactions with the community and families. He described Allen as “the real deal” and a true joy to be around in the building.

The Airborne Leap: A Defining Moment

For a physical highlight, McDermott pointed to a specific play from Allen’s rookie season in 2018 against the Minnesota Vikings. “My favorite moment from Josh’s career to this point at least was his rookie season uh 2018. We are on the road in Minnesota and Josh goes airborne over one of their linebackers,” he recounted.

“Just like I’m just going to jump over this NFL player. It’s not like he’s jumping over me. He’s jumping over an NFL player.

Yes. Made it look so effortless.”

McDermott admitted that such a daring play might not be seen again, even from Allen, as the quarterback has learned to balance his aggressive style with self-preservation to ensure a longer career. He described the process of discussing player safety with players like Allen as a delicate balance, ensuring they don’t lose their identity while also taking care of themselves.

Coaching Future and Reflection

When asked if he still wants to coach, McDermott’s answer was a resounding yes. He expressed a deep love for the game and the camaraderie of being part of a team. “Absolutely.

I love coaching. Love it,” he stated.

“I think just being a part of something bigger, right? Being a part of a team.”

He also touched upon the possibility of media work and reflected on his nine seasons with the Bills, calling it a significant accomplishment in professional sports. McDermott is using his year off to rest, reflect, and research, even connecting with leaders outside of sports to broaden his perspective. He sees this time as an opportunity for growth and to build upon the success he achieved in Buffalo.

A Difficult Play and Moving Forward

Eisen also brought up the controversial simultaneous catch in a playoff game, a moment that could have changed the team’s trajectory. McDermott acknowledged thinking about it for the team and the fans but emphasized that he doesn’t dwell on it because it was beyond his control. “For me and our family, it’s really been about, hey, going forward and looking ahead to to the future and and the opportunities,” he said.

He expressed full confidence that had that play gone their way, they would have won the game and potentially made a Super Bowl run. While he couldn’t say definitively if he’d still be coaching the Bills, he noted that setbacks are opportunities for comebacks, a philosophy that guided his coaching in Buffalo and his life.

Advocating for Skin Cancer Awareness

McDermott also discussed his work with the Skin Cancer Foundation, a cause deeply personal to him. Having experienced skin cancer himself and lost a former colleague to the disease, he stressed the importance of yearly checkups, early detection, and sun protection, especially for men.

“And so to all of us men out there, wear your sunblock,” he urged. “We’re getting into the warmer months of the season and of the year.”

He encouraged everyone to visit skincancer.org to learn more about prevention and warning signs, highlighting that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

The conversation ended with a lighthearted discussion about the perceived trend of hiring bald coaches, with McDermott humorously suggesting the need for diversity in hairstyles for a well-rounded staff.

Source: Sean McDermott's favorite Josh Allen moment with the Bills & coaching future 🏈 | The Rich Eisen Show (YouTube)