The Buffalo Bills capped off the season with a 15-5 record, including postseason victories over the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos.
Buffalo was led by head coach Sean McDermott, who recently spoke with the media about a couple of postseason moves within the organization.
While McDermott shared his thoughts on the season as well as reviewed the prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, he addressed the firing of special teams coach Matthew Smiley.
He mentioned that while it was a difficult decision, he reviewed the tape and made the necessary changes, including the hiring of Chris Tabor.
“I can confirm that,” McDermott said, per Alex Brasky. “It’s a hard business. It’s unfortunate, the business side, the hard part of my job. Those decisions are hard decisions. I know what I said after the season there and for me I did take my time and go through it, making sure that I fully evaluate the position. But, also where we need to go with that position. That was the reason for the timing on it. Matthew Smiley is a heck of a person, heck of a coach and I can’t thank him and his family enough.”
Smiley worked within the Bills organization since 2017. From 2017 to 2021, Smiley worked as the assistant special teams coordinator. He was then promoted to special teams coordinator in Buffalo, working in the role from 2022 to 2024.
Tabor will now serve as the team’s special teams coordinator, previously spending time with the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns.
While he was not staffed in 2024, Tabor’s most recent role came in 2023 with the Panthers, serving as the team’s interim head coach and special teams coordinator.