Bills Coach Sean McDermott Joins Rams' Sean McVay on NFL Competition Committee
Having survived the turbulence of this past NFL season, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is mere months away from kicking off another campaign with Super Bowl expectations.
Before then, he’ll be taking on additional offseason responsibilities. McDermott was added to the NFL Competition Committee, helping deliberate on matters relating to player safety, officiating, and roster management.
© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Adding more current coaches to the committee allows the league to best hear the perspectives of veteran coaches who will be closely impacted by the league’s proceedings and potential implementations. From gameday adjustments to fine-tuning practice, any change the NFL makes will trickle down to the ones on the sideline calling the shots.
In addition to McDermott, the committee also added Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. Both coaches got their first gigs as an NFL head coach in 2017 – perhaps a bar for the kind of experience the committee considered – and saw consistent success.
McVay, of course, has gone to two Super Bowls, winning one over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.
The other members of the committee include Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay – the chairman – as well as Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, New York Giants co-owner John Mara, and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
The most pressing issue on the docket this offseason may be banning the hip-drop tackle. While some claim it is a dangerous play, taking victims like Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, others are hesitant to remove the tackle. Doing so would only inflate officiating’s role in the game and legislate a common, natural form of tackling.
McDermott’s influence could indirectly impact Buffalo’s fortunes, though it’s far too early to tell how his voice will impact the committee’s recommendations.
