Sean McDermott Criticizes Bills’ Lackluster 38-0 Preseason Loss to Bears as ‘Not Up to Our Standard’
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott publicly expressed his disappointment following the team’s decisive 38-0 preseason defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears on Sunday, August 17. Speaking to the media after the game, McDermott described the performance as “certainly not up to our standard,” highlighting significant deficiencies on both sides of the ball.
Defensive and Offensive Lines Struggle
McDermott’s criticism was particularly pointed towards the Bills’ defensive line, stating that the team “didn’t do anything at the line of scrimmage.” This sentiment extended to the offensive line as well, which struggled to protect quarterbacks Mike White and Mitch Trubisky throughout the game. The offensive unit was repeatedly under pressure, resulting in multiple sacks and penalties that further disrupted any rhythm.
The line’s struggles were amplified by the absence of the Bills’ top seven offensive linemen, including starters Alec Anderson and Tylan Grable, who did not participate in the game. Ryan Van Demark, fighting to secure a roster spot, had a particularly tough outing, and the line’s disorganized play was one of the team’s major vulnerabilities during the loss.
Quarterback Performance and Backup Battle
The game also offered insights into the Bills’ backup quarterback situation. Mike White, who started the game for Buffalo, was unable to significantly move the offense, finishing the first half with a 4-of-11 passing performance for just 54 yards and enduring multiple sacks. Mitch Trubisky also saw playing time but was unable to reverse the team’s fortunes.
Given White’s underwhelming display and Trubisky’s struggles, it appears that the backup quarterback competition may be nearing resolution, although head coach McDermott and team staff have yet to make a formal decision public.
Defensive Weaknesses and Key Player Notes
On defense, projected starter Cole Bishop was notably targeted and beaten on a 39-yard touchdown pass during the Bears’ opening drive, underscoring the Bills’ defensive lapses. While Bishop was the only defensive starter on the field early, the overall defensive unit could not contain Chicago’s backups, who dominated the game offensively.
One bright spot was Michael Hoecht, who recorded the lone sack in the first half and is anticipated to be a valuable rotational player once his six-game suspension ends. Nonetheless, the defensive performance broadly was disappointing and did not meet coaching staff expectations.
Looking Forward
This loss drops Buffalo to 0-2 in the preseason, with only one exhibition game remaining before the regular season. Despite the tough outing, head coach McDermott emphasized the importance of using these games for evaluation, particularly for players battling for roster spots. Still, the comprehensive nature of this defeat serves as a clear indication that improvements are necessary as the Bills prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
Buffalo will need to address the offensive line issues, tighten up defensive coverage, and sharpen overall team execution during practice and the upcoming preseason contest to avoid similar setbacks.