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Bills coach Sean McDermott says his team is not okay with being number two

Buffalo, NY – May 2025 — For the second time in five years, the Buffalo Bills fell just short of the Super Bowl, once again denied by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in January’s AFC Championship Game. Over the past several seasons, the Bills have consistently been viewed as a top-tier team in the AFC, often pegged as second- or third-best, but have struggled to break through to the big stage.

Sean McDermott and the Weight of Expectations

As he enters his ninth season as head coach, Sean McDermott has led the Bills through some of their most painful playoff losses in recent memory. Despite this, McDermott insists that the team remains hungry and far from complacent.

In a recent appearance on the podcast It’s Always Gameday in Buffalo, hosted by Matthew Bove and Sal Capaccio, McDermott shared a revealing anecdote that underscores both the pressure he faces and the connection he maintains with Bills fans.

A Fan’s Doubt — and McDermott’s Response

McDermott recounted an interaction at a recent baseball game where a fan approached him from about 30 yards away in the outfield.

“A gentleman came up to me, he said hey and introduced himself,” McDermott recalled.
“He said, ‘I appreciate you guys and what you’ve done with the team. I’ve got to tell you, I was losing hope, I was losing my flavor for the Bills before you guys got there,’ and I thanked him for that.”

But the conversation quickly took a sharper turn:

“He said, ‘Hey, I get this feeling that over the years, the Bills have been okay being number two.’ I was like, you don’t know me, and you don’t know this team. That is the furthest thing from who we are.”

 

McDermott’s Vision: Delivering for Buffalo

Although McDermott has yet to deliver a Lombardi Trophy, he has long held a reputation for transparency and appreciation toward the fanbase. He remains determined to change the narrative and give Bills Mafia the moment they’ve waited decades for.

“I often envision handing the fans a Super Bowl and saying: ‘Now you’re number one,’” he said.

The road remains steep, but McDermott’s message is clear: settling for second is not an option, and the mission to bring Buffalo a championship is as urgent as ever.

Roster Move: Right after the injury of DT Milton Williams, the Patriots immediately signed the former Chiefs star to the practice squad to strengthen the defensive depth ahead of the showdown with the Bengals
Foxborough, Massachusetts – November 19, 2025 Immediately after the news that defensive tackle Milton Williams suffered a long-term injury and will be sidelined, the New England Patriots made an urgent roster move to reinforce their defensive line. The team officially announced the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr. to the practice squad. This decision comes just days before the Patriots begin their preparation week for a massive showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, a team known for its powerful interior offensive attack. Lovett is a familiar name to scouts after his college career at Mississippi State and Florida State before joining the Chiefs in 2024. He brings an impressive frame, excellent run-stopping ability, and standout hand strength. Although he has not yet had many opportunities to play in the NFL, Patriots evaluators believe Lovett can become a perfect fit in head coach Mike Vrabel’s defensive system if properly developed. The addition of Lovett is viewed as a necessary step as the Patriots face a serious depth shortage on the interior defensive line, with Williams out and several other key players still not fully healthy. Adding depth at defensive tackle has been deemed absolutely critical ahead of facing the Bengals, who consistently attack the middle of the defense. Foxborough is therefore hopeful that Lovett will integrate quickly and become a reliable rotational option. In his first media availability, Fabien Lovett Sr. showed determination and gratitude for the opportunity the Patriots have given him: “I’m going to give everything I have every single day — every practice, every snap. I want to prove to Coach Vrabel that I deserve a spot in the Patriots ranks. This is an opportunity and I’m not going to waste it.” The straightforward statement left a strong impression on reporters at Gillette. Despite currently being only a practice-squad signing, Lovett is projected to have a fast track to the active roster if he performs well. The current situation is forcing the Patriots to stay flexible and ready to give chances to players with the right attitude. With clear determination and motivation, Lovett is expected to become a surprise contributor that helps the New England defense stand firm against the major challenge named the Cincinnati Bengals.