5 immediate moves Sean McDermott should make for Bills to reach Super Bowl next season

Another year, another heartbreaking end to the season for Sean McDermott and the Bills, who are still waiting for their first Super Bowl triumph. They lost 32-29 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, making it the fourth time they have lost in the playoffs to Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in recent years.

It again proved that the Bills are close to the promised land but need something extra to get there. Buffalo's Super Bowl window remains as long as Josh Allen is their quarterback, and Sean McDermott must now find ways to ensure that his talent is not wasted. Here are some steps that he can take.

Sean McDermott's to-do list to reach Super Bowl in 2026

#5 - Get help for Bobby Babich or a new DC

Josh Allen was phenomenal this year. However, even before the loss yesterday, there were times when it looked as if the quarterback was the only one who could drag his team to victory.

A case in point was the Bills' regular-season loss to the Rams. The Bills lost 42-44 despite Allen's performance, which included multiple touchdowns through the air and on the ground. The AFC Championship performance was not quite as bad, but the themes were similar.

The Chiefs' offense cut through their defense without much resistance from their opposition. It looked for most of the game that Buffalo had to work for every yard whereas Kansas City almost seemed to score at will. In crucial moments, this defense has not been good. Sean McDermott must fix that by getting some help for Bobby Babich or finding a new defensive coordinator if that does not work out.

#4 - Add depth at RB behind James Cook

The Bills' offense got going in the second half when they got the ball running. James Cook provided good output and it also freed up Josh Allen to take off when the running back grabbed attention. However, by the fourth quarter, it looked like every close yardage came down to the quarterback.

Cook is a good running back but they need options. Getting another running back who can pick up short yardage or give the starter some rest would be welcome. It would free up their offense even more and keep opposing defenses honest.

#3 - Strengthen the medical team

Sean McDermott might not have the ability to change the medical team but this is a point he must raise at the end-of-season brief. The Bills' season has now ended in consecutive years to the Chiefs. In both instances, injuries played a crucial role.

Last year, Buffalo was left without any pass-rush threat at home because of all the injuries to their linebacker corps. This year, their injury report was much more extensive coming into the game, and then they lost Christian Benford, which debilitated their defense.

Getting the top seed in the regular season would have gotten them some more rest but this was not the case last season. The Bills need to find a way to have their best players on the field in the playoffs and Sean McDermott should raise the issue with the franchise's management.

#2 - Reinforce defense through the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft will soon be upon us and Sean McDermott needs to use it to reinforce the defense. We have already highlighted the issues they faced on defense during this game and throughout the regular season. They need better pass-rushing ability. Despite the Chiefs' offensive line having its own issues, the Bills could not get to Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship game.

They need more depth in the cornerback position too, as Benford's injury showed. Buffalo will pick 30th in the 2025 NFL Draft and they should look at getting defensive reinforcements to help their offense.

#1 - Get help for Josh Allen at WR and TE

When the season began, many did not predict the Bills to be here. They did not expect them to make the playoffs or be in contention for the Super Bowl. Many had the Jets or the Dolphins winning the division. The reason was very simple to follow. Buffalo lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason and did not reinforce enough.

Their run to the AFC Championship has disguised that Josh Allen is still working with fewer options than many of his compatriots. It is his brilliance that got the team this far. He does not have a Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, or Hollywood Brown like Patrick Mahomes has. He does not have Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins like Joe Burrow does. He does not even have Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers like Lamar Jackson does.

All those mentioned above are AFC quarterbacks, whom he will have to beat to make the Super Bowl. Sean McDermott must realize that his quarterback's ability has papered over the cracks on offense this year and accordingly add more wide receivers and tight ends through the draft and free agency to help him.