Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke to the media on Monday ahead of the NFL trade deadline, discussing potential roster moves, the development of young defensive players, and providing updates on team injuries as they prepare for Week 10.
The NFL trade deadline is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. With several injuries affecting the team this season, there has been speculation that the Bills could be active in the market. McDermott explained his role in discussions with General Manager Brandon Beane regarding possible trades: “Over the years, what we’ve understood works, is I shared my vision for the team, where I think we’re at and where I think we could use some help,” McDermott said of his conversation with Beane. “We go back and forth in conversation style there.. I believe my job is to share where I believe our team is and what we need to do moving forward. From there, it’s really his stage.”
McDermott added that he often reviews film of potential trade targets: “He’ll brief me on some things, maybe some thoughts, maybe some kind of irons in the fire that he wants my opinion on. So he’ll have me look at someone or a couple of guys and that’s really my involvement in it.”
Buffalo’s recent draft investments in their secondary are starting to show results. In Sunday’s win against Kansas City, defensive backs Maxwell Hairston and Cole Bishop accounted for all five pass breakups—an improvement over their average of 2.42 per game before Week 9—and Jordan Hancock contributed by helping prevent a late-game Hail Mary completion from Patrick Mahomes.
Reflecting on these performances, McDermott said: “I’m going through the defensive film and with the defensive staff and in the room and just watching players. We get a stop — and the players are coming off the field — and you got Cole out there in the back end, you got Max, you got Jordan Hancock. Some young guys out there that haven’t played a whole lot of football, and you’re excited for them because you see them and their excitement.”
Bishop led Buffalo in tackles against Kansas City while recording four pass breakups—a personal best—which included denying two key third-down conversions by swatting away passes intended for Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich commented on Bishop’s growth: “I think it’s always been there,” DC Bobby Babich said of Bishop’s maturity and instincts. “Hopefully this is the moment for him where it’s slowed down. Every week’s a different week. He’s got to continue to grow. But he puts the time in.”
Hairston split reps with veteran Tre’Davious White during Sunday’s game and notched his first career interception in only his second NFL appearance. McDermott noted Hairston’s poise under pressure: “You don’t always get a breakthrough moment like that early. So that’s good,” he said. “Now we got to go back to being humble and staying with his process.”
On injuries, McDermott confirmed that Michael Hoecht was placed on Injured Reserve due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered Sunday; he will miss the rest of this season.
Other injured players—including DaQuan Jones (calf), Joshua Palmer (ankle), Shaq Thompson (hamstring), and Taron Johnson (groin)—are progressing toward returning to practice soon but no timeline has been guaranteed yet.
“One day at a time. Don’t know for sure, kind of like those other guys,” McDermott said about Johnson’s recovery status.
Cornerback Dorian Strong remains sidelined after being placed on IR Oct. 4 with a neck injury; according to McDermott: “It’s not good based on the reports I’m getting,” he said. “It’s not moving in the direction we’d like it to at this point.”
