Sean McDermott Sends Clear Message on Bills Rookie Defenders Ahead of Dolphins Game

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Head Coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills yells during the first quarter against the New England Patriots on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
“Understand your role.” A simple yet important phrase that Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott repeated multiple times during his press conference on Friday, underscoring how vital he feels it is to his team’s performance. When you understand your role, you’ll do your job, and from there you’re ready to take on more responsibility as needed. But it all starts with understanding your role.
The Bills got a huge win over the Chiefs last week. It’s not the first time the Bills have knocked off Kansas City in the regular season, and they have yet to replicate such a victory against Chiefs WB Patrick Mahomes in the postseason when it matters. Still, this win felt a little different. With it, Buffalo sits at 6-2, just a game behind the 8-2 Broncos (who played on Thursday night) for the lead in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Chiefs fell to 5-4, and are currently on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.
On Sunday, Buffalo will play the Dolphins for the second time this season. A win in Miami would push the Bills to 7-2 and would help them keep pace with the Patriots in the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott on First-Round Rookie CB Maxwell Hairston’s Role

Jason Miller/GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Maxwell Hairston #31 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“Just doing his job, like I mentioned Joe,” McDermott said on what first-round rookie CB Maxwell Hairston needs to do this week as he steps into a starting role. Hairston missed the first six games of the season with an injury, but he’s supremely athletic and has played great in the two games he’s been back so far.
“You know, he understands — or is beginning to understand — what that looks like, and the level that you have to prepare in order to do that,” McDermott continued. “To do one’s job at a high level. So really nothing out of the norm, nothing out of what he’s been doing to this point. And that’s really true for all of us, myself, our staff. Be accountable for your job, and the job description that’s required of you, and do it for those around you, in terms of from an accountability standpoint that we’re not going to let each other down.”
Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott on Rookie Edge Rusher Landon Jackson’s Debut
“Understanding his role is number one, just like it is for all of us,” McDermott said on rookie ED Landon Jackson, who’s set to make his season debut this week. Jackson was a third-round pick back in April, but has yet to dress for a game. Due to some defensive line injuries the Bills are suffering currently, Jackson will be called upon on game day for the first time this season.
“Understand your role, understand the job description that comes with your role and the requirements that are necessary, and the style of play that comes with it. And then, knowing that you have to be ready to go beyond and above your role as well, in terms of when you’re called upon to do more than maybe what you prepared for. We know it’s going to be 90-some degrees down there, and so really that’s — for our whole team is ‘Hey, do your job, and then be ready to cover for those that need a break here and there.’ So that’s kind of the vision for him.”
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