Sean McDermott’s 5-Year Struggle To End As Bills Eye Final Roster Move, Per Report

The Buffalo Bills look scary on offense again. Josh Allen is fresh off an MVP season, James Cook just inked a four-year extension, and most of last year’s second-ranked scoring unit is back intact. Sean McDermott’s squad knows points won’t be a problem in 2025, but defense is the side of the ball that has haunted him.

Every postseason heartbreak since 2020 came with the same painful theme—no pressure in the big moments. That’s why this year feels different. Buffalo is buzzing about rookie T.J. Sanders, the No. 41 overall pick, who could be the missing piece by playoff time. And Sanders is also showing his value.

At camp, he showcased top pass-rushing skills against the best offensive linemen. While he’s still not a starter, he earned a role next to Ed Oliver on passing downs. As The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia explained, “That could potentially give the Bills their most potent interior pass-rushing duo since head coach Sean McDermott arrived in 2017.” For a defense craving disruption, that’s a storyline too big to ignore.

At the same time, the Bills aren’t banking solely on Sanders. They’ve also turned their focus to shoring up the back end. As ESPN’s Dan Graziano put it, “The safety position has been a particularly thorny question mark, especially considering how important that position is in coach Sean McDermott’s defense.” To settle the issue, Buffalo brought back a familiar face—Jordan Poyer, signed to the practice squad, now tasked with guiding the younger safeties.

Yes, Poyer’s return feels like a full-circle story. After seven seasons in Buffalo, he was cut in 2024 during a cap purge. He spent a rough year with the Miami Dolphins and openly admitted afterward that he wanted to finish his career where it started. With the Bills needing stability at safety, his wish just might come true.

Of course, the team still has big questions to answer. Taylor Rapp is locked in at free safety, but the strong safety spot remains unsettled. Second-year Cole Bishop hasn’t looked ready, and Damar Hamlin struggled in the preseason. Those shaky moments leave McDermott with five urgent defensive questions as the Bills eye their final roster moves before the season kicks off.

McDermott has to solve 5 defensive questions

The Buffalo Bills made many tweaks in their roster this offseason, hoping to add depth and competition across the board. Yet for Sean McDermott, one question never goes away—can game management finally become consistent? Decision-making under pressure has improved over the years, but it still costs the team at key moments.

Yes, while McDermott shoulders the ultimate blame, his staff hasn’t been immune either. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady, still finding his rhythm as a play-caller, had his own share of lapses last season. Costly mistakes in games against the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams turned what could have been wins into painful losses.

At the same time, the defense continues to carry its own baggage. That question—can the unit finally hold the line when it matters most—has followed Buffalo every offseason. The loss to the Rams and another stumble against the Ravens showed the same cracks. The run defense, long an issue under McDermott, never found its anchor even after the Star Lotulelei signing years ago. Whether this roster has the right difference-makers remains the biggest “wait-and-see.”

In addition, third down remains a glaring weakness. The Bills ranked 29th in the league last season, allowing opponents to convert 43.8% of the time. Those struggles bled into the playoffs, where the defense simply couldn’t get off the field. For a contender, that’s not just frustrating—it’s backbreaking. Improvement in that area could define their ceiling.

Finally, the spotlight turns to Greg Rousseau. He’s been solid, even one of Buffalo’s best defenders at times, but that long-hyped breakout season still hasn’t arrived. He signed a new deal that could look like a steal if 2025 is his year. Analysts keep waiting, the press keeps predicting, and now it’s Rousseau’s turn to prove them right.